Lorain Cinco de Mayo parade grows in second year since return

LORAIN — Much improved weather and a growing group of volunteers made the second year of Lorain's revived Cinco de Mayo celebration feel larger and more alive, as the community gathered to celebrate the Mexican community and its contribution to the city. Last year was the first time that the Mexican Mutual Society had held its annual parade to celebrate the Mexican national holiday since before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the return was dampened by heavy rain. On Saturday, the weather was chilly but residents were thankful to be dry as they lined the streets of South Lorain for the parade and then packed Mexican Mutual's courtyard for a celebration of Mexican culture through food, music and community. Mia Arredondo, co-chair for Mexican Mutual's Scholarship Committee, said that in its second year back, the parade felt more like Cinco de Mayo celebrations of the past, before the hiatus. "I would say it is starting to feel more regular in terms of people coming out," she said. "There were so many units involved in the parade, so it is great to see people from across the city joining in." Arredondo said she was especially moved by an increase in the number of volunteers who stepped up to make the event possible. "We had a lot of new volunteers setting up the hall, both inside and outside," she said. "That was really great to see. To keep organizations like this alive, you need new people, so seeing a lot of young people helping set up today was really great. We have people like Hector Lopez who cuts the grass, cooks, does maintenance, any and everything. Without him, I don't think we could do it, but seeing other people joining in was heartwarming." A key part of the celebration back at Mexican Mutual on East 28th Street after the parade is the princess pageant and Little Queen Court coronation, which Arredondo helps oversee. Whereas the parade enjoyed its second year back, this is the third time the pageant has been held since the pandemic. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican victory over the Second French Empire in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, as French forces sought to conquer the country. It came to be a celebration of Mexican independence and culture more generally, though it is separate from Mexican Independence Day on Sept.16. The Little Queen Court coronation results were as follows: Queen: Oaklyn Charleton 1st Runner Up: MiLana Ramon 2nd Runner Up: Haiden Bell 3rd Runner Up: Angelina Reyna Princess: Lilo-Jade Davis Duchess: EiLainey Ramon Next Duchess: Arianna Velez Next Duchess: Emma Velez Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.