Cinco de Mayo a Day for Family and Fiesta

In local Cinco de Mayo celebrations Sunday, the colors of pinatas were just as vibrant and strains of mariachi just as sweet whether they took place at the neon-bedecked Universal CityWalk or a humble community center tucked away on a neighborhood block.

While hordes of tourists at CityWalk strolled by live stage performances of Gary Jones’ puppet theater and Los Comperos’ classical guitar music, celebrations in Canoga Park and Encino offered a day of simpler pleasures provided by, and enjoyed with, family and neighbors.

About 700 local residents enjoyed heaping plates of food, musical performances and carnival games at Canoga Park’s Guadalupe Community Center, which has held an organized Cinco de Mayo celebration for the last seven years.

As the voices of the Guadalupe Children’s Chorus swelled to the tune of “Las Mananitas,” volunteer Guadalupe Pineda of Canoga Park inflated helium balloons under the hot afternoon sun. She admired the large red, white and green balloon arch, which echoed the bright colors of the young singers’ costumes.

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“I like the games here and the food,” she said. “For the holiday, I make enchiladas, go to the park with family and remember times in Mexico.”

Seven uniformed Los Angeles police officers from the West Valley Division came to the event--some on their day off--to show support for the department’s longtime partnership with the Guadalupe Community Center.

“We hope with the officers here and a car driving around the block all day, the families and children feel real safe here as they celebrate today,” said Senior Lead Officer George C. Aguilar.

Cinco de Mayo, which marks the 1862 victory of the Mexican army against a better-armed French force, was celebrated throughout Southern California. One of the largest events was downtown on Olvera Street, where a steady flow of people visited the Avila Adobe. The adobe, built in 1818, is the oldest existing house in Los Angeles.

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

A count of visitors was also being taken at the Encino Farmer’s Market on Sunday morning, where alongside farmers’ booths there was mariachi music from Sylmar-based Juvenil Tenochtitlan, folklorico dancing from San Fernando’s Santa Rosa Catholic Church and pinatas.

Harry Vickman, who helps manage the farmer’s market, said the count there showed that 3,000 people came on Sunday--1,000 more than most weekends.

“We usually don’t see as much of the Latino community here, but today we can see that our efforts at reaching out are working,” he said.

Gerardo and Laura Chavez bring strawberries and other produce from their farm in Santa Maria every week, but they said Sunday’s celebration was special. Their daughter, Debbie, displayed a strawberry crate full of candy.

“I’m good in pinatas,” Debbie said. “I’m fast.”

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

John Harden, who volunteered to oversee the pinata-breaking, said it is important for his daughter to dress up at school in the colors of the Mexican flag for the holiday and participate in celebrations “because she is from two cultures--Mexican and Caucasian.”

He likes Cinco de Mayo as well. “It is a good taste of the culture--and of tamales.”

Times staff writer John L. Mitchell contributed to this story.