At Cinco de Mayo Festival, Latino Heritage Is Star

They came, thousands of them, to taste and celebrate a bit of 19th century Mexican history that reverberates today.

On Olvera Street in downtown L.A., people jammed the narrow passageways between the shops, eyeing gifts, sampling delicacies and moving to the rhythm of mariachi music.

Sunday marked the finale of weekend celebrations for Cinco de Mayo--a day that represents the 1862 victory of the Mexican army against the better armed French.

It was also a day to honor the deep roots of Latino heritage that is as much a part of California history as it is of Mexico’s.

Susan Guzman of El Sereno tugged on her 5-year-old son, Mark, as she walked by the rows of hanging leather purses, stacked blankets and pottery.

“We want him to see the culture, we want him to have fun,” she said.

“It’s a time for families to be together,” said Yolanda Perez, with her husband and two small children.

The celebration brought a steady flow of people to the Avila Adobe, which was built in 1818 and is the oldest house in Los Angeles. They viewed the family room, the office, parlor, kitchen and bedrooms. They rested in the open-air courtyard, which offered a view of the Cinco de Mayo celebration.

“This is one of the two busiest days of the year here,” said Marlene Mall, a city employee who stood at the adobe entrance clicking a hand counter. “The other day comes in September when we celebrate Mexican Independence Day.”

Relaxing in the courtyard of the old adobe was Frank Pichardo, 42. “It reminds me of my grandmother’s house in Mexico,” he said. “She had a courtyard just like this that I used to play in as a child.”

But if the celebration had a down-home air, it also had the feel of modern urban festivities--complete with such corporate sponsors as Anheuser-Busch, J.C. Penney and Chrysler. Performances ranged from mariachi bands and Aztec folk dancers to Latin salsa and American funk.

It was a rare day off for Kristy Rice, a 28-year-old pediatrics resident at County-USC Medical Center. “When you have a day off, you want to spend it well,” she said. “I just wanted to get a good margarita.”

Lillian Lona doesn’t miss a celebration, because Cinco de Mayo falls on her birthday. “I always feel like everyone is celebrating my birthday,” said Lona, who will be 29 today.

Business was booming at a psychic reading table, where fortunetellers charged $5 to look into the future.

Christina, 23, emerged from her session convinced that she understood why she has been unlucky in finding a job.

“She told me that someone was out to get me, they put a spell on me,” she said.

Jerry and Nellie Montano came from San Bernardino to celebrate their 27th anniversary. They brought their 15-year-old daughter, Doreen, who was less than enthusiastic.

“We’ve had fun, but she’s a little bored,” said Jerry Montano, indicating that his daughter might be enjoying herself more if she didn’t have to be with her parents.

Doreen smiled and nodded in agreement.

Elsewhere, Cinco de Mayo festivities were held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Guadalupe Community Center in Canoga Park, the Encino Farmers’ Market and Universal CityWalk. The locales were varied, but the themes of music, food and family were constant.

Universal CityWalk featured performances throughout the weekend, including ballet folklorico dancers, Gary Jones’ puppet theater and Los Comperos’ classical guitar music. The festivities were accompanied by a display of work from Mexican artisans.

Alicia Harden, 8, of Canoga Park shared her pinata strategy. Her mother, Olga Hernandez, taught it to her: “Sit on the candy, so no one can get it.”

Times staff writer Angie Chuang contributed to this story.