Isla Vista marked Cinco de Mayo with its fifth annual celebration at Anisq’Oyo Park on Saturday, bringing together live mariachi music, dancing and community members for a day of cultural festivities.

The Isla Vista Recreation and Park District coordinated the event in partnership with Associated Students Raíces de mi Tierra, a UC Santa Barbara student-run group dedicated to promoting Mexican culture.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s unexpected 1862 victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, a central Mexican city.

While the victory was not a major national turning point in Mexico, President Benito Juárez declared it a symbolic triumph of resistance and national pride. It serves as a symbol of resistance against foreign domination and unity for those with Mexican-American heritage.

There are many misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo, UC Santa Barbara student Sofia Benitez pointed out.

“Many people think it’s Mexico’s Independence Day from Spain or that it’s celebrated in Mexico as a whole,” Benitez said. “In Mexico, it is seen more like a commemoration. We usually learn about its historical importance in school and maybe have a small event or lessons about it.”

The Isla Vista celebration served to educate students and residents about the importance of Cinco de Mayo by highlighting Mexican customs and traditions, complemented by free tacos and live mariachi music. 

Oscar Ramirez, recreation coordinator for the IVRPD, said the district wanted to “celebrate an authentic event for the Latine community here in Isla Vista, making sure both students and the local community here can be culturally celebrated and honored.”

Regional mariachi band Mariachi Mexicanisimo brought energetic traditional performances to the celebration.

The group played popular songs such as “Rodar y Rodar,” “Cielito Lindo” and “Hermoso Cariño” as people sang, cheered and danced. 

“Seeing people from different cultural backgrounds enjoying the music and participating in the celebration made me happy, because it showed how others embrace and appreciate our culture as well,” Benitez said. 

Another musical highlight was Estrategia Central, a Santa Barbara-based group that got attendees dancing to corridos, Norteñas and other regional Mexican styles. 

Attendees also packed the free tacos booth, where veggie, meat and chicken tacos were served with snacks. 

Rosaura Ríos Rincón, originally from Michoacán and a Santa Barbara newcomer, said she moved from New York a year ago because she wanted to feel more connected to Mexican culture. 

“It’s important to celebrate Cinco de Mayo because it makes us remember our roots, where we come from, and it brings together the Latino community,” Rios Rincón said. 

She danced to the corridos while other dancers hyped her up and cheered.

“This is my favorite part of the event: the music, dancing and spending time together as a community,” she added. 

A mechanical bull competition also invited attendees to test their courage. Participants competed to stay on; the rider who lasted the longest took home a prize. 

Other activities by Phi Lambda Rho Sorority Inc. included papel picado making, while A.S. Raíces de mi Tierra held an interactive tarima and trenzas (braids) booth. 

Many other student organizations, such as El Congreso, IDEAS UCSB, and Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity Inc., held fundraisers for future annual outreach events and Latine College Day. 

Ríos Rincón said that educating younger generations, especially those with Hispanic heritage, is important.

“I’m glad they’re doing this community event because our children, and those who aren’t Hispanic, can learn about the culture,” she said.