In Print: Thursday, April 30, 2009 Tuesday is Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates the Mexican army’s unlikely defeat of the French at the Battle
of Puebla on May 5, 1862. So why do we celebrate it here in the good ol’ U.S. of A Lots of reasons, for sure, but the main one has a lot to do with tequila. Here’s where to get the party started. Baseball and Cinco de Mayo The Tampa Yankees celebrate Cinco de Mayo at their game against the Daytona Cubs with a south of the border fiesta featuring margaritas, chips and salsa on the Tampa Tribune Party Deck. All you can drink for ladies, $5, 6-8 p.m. only. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tue. George M. Steinbrenner Field (formerly Legends Field), 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa. $4 general, $6 reserved, $1 if you wear a sombrero. (813) 875-7753 www.legendsfieldtampa.com. Cinco de Mayo Pub Style! The Irish bar goes Mexican for the day with an all-you-can-drink Corona and tequila bar, jalapeno-eating contest, recorded Mexican music, prizes and giveaways. First 100 people get a free sombrero. 5-8 p.m. Tue. MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa. $15, 21 and older event. ID required. (813) 251-8999. Cinco de Mayo Celebration Party with a Santana tribute by the Supernaturals, tequila sampling with the Sauza Tequila Girls, giveaways and a Southwestern buffet covering everything from salad and flat breads to fajitas and flan. 4 p.m. Tue. Tucson’s Southwest Grill, 13563 Icot Blvd., Clearwater. Admission free, $8.95 buffet, drinks individually priced. (727) 530-0637 www.tucsonsswgrill.com. Cinco de Mayo Celebration An all-day party with mariachi bands, DJ, dancing, food, drink specials and other live music. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Tue. Cinco de Mayo Restaurant, 1919 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. Free admission, but separate charges for food and drink. (813) 374-2222. Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! Mexican-themed street party along Dunedin’s Main Street with guacamole, quesadillas, margaritas and more under the food and drink tents, salsa dancing and lessons, performances by Clearwater Dance and Circus Arts, sombrero fashion contest (sombreros auctioned for charity), music by Orquesta Infinidad salsa band. 5-11 p.m. Tue. Casa Tina, 365 Main St., Dunedin. Free admission, but separate charges for food and drink. (727) 734-9226 www.casatinas.com.
Cinco de Mayo Party The Hut calls this “Tampa’s Largest Cinco de Mayo Party,” with games, prizes, contests for best decorated sombrero, jalapeno eating and limbo, drink specials and live music by Spy vs. Spy. ID required. 4-11 p.m. Tue. The Hut, 514 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $5 cover drinks and food extra. (813) 226-8961. thehutbarandgrill.com.