You don’t have to dance. You don’t need a car. No matter who you are, there’s something to do on Cinco de Mayo.
Celebrate the fifth day of May right here on campus with MEChA, the official voice of Chicano/a students at the University of Oregon. Expect a crowd of about 300 to pack the EMU Ballroom for a free dinner at 6 p.m., followed by traditional Mexican dance, a slide show, awards ceremony and piñata. A dance will follow at 9 p.m.
Or head over to Esslinger Hall for a game of Twister, table tennis, a three-pointer contest and more. The fun begins around 10 p.m. and doors will stay open until 2 a.m. The event is open to all University students with student ID.
There’s plenty to do off campus, too:
The Washington/Jefferson Park will be packed all weekend for the 8th annual Fiesta Latina. Free and open to all ages, the fiesta offers several food booths as well as live music and dancing.
But Fiesta Latina won’t be the only place to party in West Eugene. La Tiendita y Taco Loco at 764 Blair Boulevard will have live mariachi music all day Friday. Local radio station KDUK will join the party on the lunch hour, offering contests and prizes during its live broadcast. More live music will follow Saturday night, with Los Mex Pistols. A $5 cover charge will be in effect both days.
While all the Mexican restaurants will be packed, not all will be as happening as El Torito Mexican Restaurant & Cantina at 1003 Valley River Way. Friday night’s festivities include dancing to music by a live disc jockey, as well as drink and appetizer specials. The fiesta grande begins around 2 o’clock in the afternoon, but avoid the long lines and get your $10 admission bracelet at 11 a.m. The fun will start up again on Saturday when local radio station KDUK broadcasts its show live from the cantina from 4 – 7 p.m. There will be contests and prizes, and no cover charge.
Senor Frog’s at 444 E. 3rd Ave. is also planning for a large crowd as they kick off two full days of partying Friday at 11 a.m. The outside area, which will include a beer garden and margarita stand, will be blocked off for dancing. A DJ will get the party going around 10 p.m., at which time a $3 cover will be in effect. The party will start all over again Saturday at 11 a.m.
For a more relaxed Cinco de Mayo, head to Nacho’s at 11th and for low-priced jumbo margaritas and bean dip.
Or check out Chapala Mexican Restaurant at 68 W. 29th for a family-oriented fiesta. The outdoor party will feature a mariachi band that will start around 1 p.m., and patrons can enter a prize drawing to win a catered party with live music for up to 20 people. Tents will be set up in the parking lot area in case of rain.