OXFORD – On Friday, May 5, from 5-7 p.m., the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) of Fort Hill Post #376 will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “fifth of May”) with a special Mexican dinner from 5-7 p.m. Take-outs available only from 4-5 p.m. This is not just a dinner, it’s a Mexican “fiesta” and you’re invited to have a delicious, “festivo” meal, listen to Mexican folk and mariachi music, participate in raffles, and enjoy very colorful decorations, all while supporting the educational and charitable ALA missions.

For those who don’t know, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the United States and in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla (English: The Day of the Battle of Puebla). It commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French in 1862. The win helped Mexico establish a sense of national unity and patriotism. It also helped the United States because if the French had won, they planned to use Mexico as a base to help the Confederates win their battle against the United States during the Civil War.

In celebración, Unit 376 Auxiliary members will be preparing food that will take your taste buds to sunny Mexico! There will be freshly made tomato salsa known as pico de gallo to nibble on with corn tortilla chips before the dinner. The entrée will be pulled pork Machaca, beef tacos, and Mexican arroz (rice) and frijoles (beans). Food will have just a little mild spice. There will be a -help yourself- taco toppings bar which will include real Mexican hot sauce to please those who like to “feel the burn.” To round out the dinner, there will be (at least) a couple of delicious desserts to drive you loco: Sopapilla cheesecake and Tres Leches cake (a sponge cake soaked with a mixture of three milks).

Mexican dinner prices are just $8 for adults; $7 for seniors; children between the ages of 6 to 12 are $6; and children age 5 and under are free. Take-outs dinners are $8.50. “Todos son bienvenidos!” (All are welcome!)

There will be a 50/50 raffle as well as a basket raffle. The basket will have an array of colorful items and imports such as Mexican chocolate, vanilla extract from Mexico, vibrant towels, hot sauce, food mixes, etc, and a bottle of tequila donated by Ye Olde Shanty.