Cinco De Mayo Just Another Day For Local Latino Residents

in Lake Elsinore saw a steady stream of customers buying grocery staples Thursday afternoon, but no one was stocking up for a Cinco de Mayo party.

For the area’s many Latino residents May 5 is just another day.

Ibarra's, which caters to the local community, including a high population of Latino residents, was running regular specials, but there were no Jose Cuervo signs or Doritos Chips displays.

Seated at patio tables and benches outside the market, Lake Elsinore residents Ramon Hernandez and Alfredo Hernandez said even if they were in Mexico today, they probably wouldn’t be celebrating.

“I'm from El Salvador, so Cinco de Mayo means nothing to me,” Ramon explained in broken English.

He translated for his friend Alfredo, who hails from Mexico.

“Maybe we would have a little food and spend time with family, but that’s it,” Ramon conveyed for Alfredo.

What about margarita and tequila shots?

The two men laughed. “There’s not really any drinking. No money for that.”

The two explained that May 10, Mexican Mother’s Day, is a much bigger cause for festivity.

“Everyone celebrates then, but it’s not crazy,” Ramon explained. “If you have the money, mariachis, food -- all the family is there.

Ramon said Cinco de Mayo is like any other day for he and his friend, who are both unemployed laborers: “We will be looking for work.”

Jose Arevalo stopped by the market with his young son. Also from Mexico, Arevalo said Cinco de Mayo doesn’t resonate with him either.

“Independence Day in September, that’s when we celebrate,” he said.

Inside the market, owner Reyes Ibarra and his daughter Andrea said there isn’t a Cinco de Mayo spike in business.

Andrea translated for her father who said he believes the American hoopla surrounding the holiday is all marketing.

“It’s more of a big deal in restaurants here. It’s a way to make money,” Reyes said through his daughter.

Andrea and checker Frances Jimenez confirmed that May 10 is a much bigger celebration, but they also treat their moms on American Mother’s Day.

“Yes, they get two holidays,” the young women chuckled.

None of the local Latinos interviewed think the is disrespectful, despite the fact that the day celebrates the 19th century Mexican battle victory against the French in the state of Puebla.

“Not at all,” Andrea said. “We are not offended. Why would we be?”

So which holidays resonate for Mexicans living in the United States?

“Mexican Independence Day is big,” Andrea said. “But really, it’s the Fourth of July and Christmas.”