Gatlinburg, Tennesse Hosts Cinco de Mayo

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Most of us have heard of Cinco de Mayo. Each year, in the spring, advertisements are seen on television, heard on the radio and viewed on the web. Although this celebration comes from a battle between France and Mexico, it is celebrated more widely in the United States. One city celebrating this event is Gatlinburg.

Entertainment in Gatlinburg
Nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg is known for it's excitement as well as serenity. There are many shows and attractions for everyone. A variety of shops line the streets hosting a wide selection of items.

Different seasons of the year bring an assortment of festivals and parades. Spring is no exception. Each year, on the fifth of May, Gatlinburg celebrates Cinco de Mayo. There is food, dancing and entertainment galore from daylight till well after dark.

Entertainment for your canines
Prancing down the streets are the Chihuahuas in their cute Mexican outfits. Pulled in wagons, walking on leashes or carried by their owners, they parade through town showing off. This is known as the Parade of Chihuahuas. The participants are judged and a winner is decided from among them. The outfit representing the Mexican culture the best and that is the cutest wins the "cutest dog outfit" award.

The Chihuahua Race is another event that is lively and entertaining. The owners line up the Chihuahuas at the starting point. Excitement abounds as they race to the finish line to see who will win. This little guy has the honor of being named "Champion of Gatlinburg's Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Race."

Music and dance
While you may find different bands playing throughout the city, the Mariachi band is the most common. The basic instruments that make up the band are the violins, trumpets and guitars. Other instruments are added to give the band it's unique sound. The vihuela combines with the soothing harp tones. The guitarro' is the bass that holds the melody together. This combination provides a harmony that is different from any other.

Folkloric dancers entertain crowds with the many dances of the Mexican culture. There are different costumes depending on the type of dance. Women wear dresses with ruffled skirts that have designs on them. While dancing, when the skirts from the different dancers are brought together, they create beautiful images.

Some dancers wear head dress or masks for their faces. These have feathers or painting on them that represent the country and historical events. Children in different cities recreate these masks to symbolize the survival of the country and heritage.

Salsa is another type of dance seen here. This is an exotic, Latin dance between a man and a woman. The dancers wear bold, vibrant colored clothing. Women's dresses are well-fitted with fringe or other accessories to enhance their body language. The men wear pants that snuggly fit and button-down shirts.

Karaoke is for those who enjoy singing. People of all ages entertain crowds with their voices. This is enjoyable for the singer as well as the audience.

An educational experience
As well as learning about the Mexican culture, children and adults can also learn about the Latin heritage. There is a Latin showcase that teaches the different types of music and dance. You can learn about the clothing and food. There are also crafts and activities to learn from.

Food for the event
Throughout the festival, there are many booths with samples of food to try for free. You may also choose to buy an arm band that allows you to sample all the food you want. Or you can simply purchase a meal.

For the spicy side of life, there is a "hot burrito eating contest." Entrants prepare for the heat and race to beat the clock. The one eating the most burritos in the allotted time becomes the champion.

Other activities
If you are looking to entertain your little ones, there is plenty to find here. There are face-painting booths available. Children have their face painted with the Mexican history in mind or simply have a painting of what they choose.

Clowns and mimes tour the streets all day. They fascinate the children with their humorous antics. The clowns hand out balloons to the children, and the mimes teach them a new way of communicating.

A dunking booth allows the children to have a shot at landing someone in the water. This not only makes them laugh, but gives them a sense of pride when they hit the target. Adults can also have a shot at the booth. It is fun to see them squeal just before getting soaked.

Proceeds from the event
Most of the proceeds go to the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce or other city facilities. This gives them the funding to create an even better atmosphere than is already present. It also allows them the funds to host the great events throughout the year. A thousand dollars of the proceeds is given to the Boys and Girls Club of Gatlinburg.

Conclusion
Cinco de Mayo in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is an enjoyable trip to start the summer off. The entertainment begins in the morning and lasts through the night. There is fun, as well as learning about a new culture. And Gatlinburg is a magnificent city to host such an event.