MY FATHER'S FOLDER: CINCO DE MAYO

The Queen, The Princesses, The Jeep

CINCO DE MAYO:  Jeep gets a makeover

Cinco de Mayo is mainly observed in the Mexican state of Puebla, where parades with people dressed in costumes are held to celebrate the day.
We Poblanos love to celebrate!
Cinco de Mayo is a government and school holiday in Mexico, so government offices and many schools are closed. It is also a regional holiday in the states of Puebla and Veracruz.
About Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo officially commemorates the anniversary of an early victory by Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the anniversary of the defeat and expulsion of the French forces by the Mexicans, which occurred in 1867. The battle in Puebla did, however, lift the confidence of the Mexican army and people. It helped boost national unity at the time
Many of the preparations for this celebration, are made by the civil authorities in union with the local school.
Shortly after one furlough, my dad was asked if our new Jeep would be available to display the queen and her princesses.  One of the princesses, Lola, was one of the girls chosen to ride on the Jeep/Float.  She was one of the girls that lived in our girls homes that we directed and attended the local public school.  There were about 20 boys and girls at this time in our Boys and Girls Homes who attended the local school for lack of schools in their villages.

The School Children All lined Up

They proudly decorated the Jeep with colorful streamers and a flowers with a canopy.  The girls were all dressed in flowing gowns and proudly sat on the hood, leaving little room for my dad to see to drive.  He had to stick his head out the window.
The parade consisted of all the municipal authorities, a marching band, and all the children  wearing uniforms.
Out of all the 7,000 people living in the entire municipality, we were the only ones who owned a vehicle and there were other occasions where my dad was asked to transport someone who was ill, or needed something important.
I was around age four during this particular  celebration.

The Band