A little rain didn’t stop a fun Cinco de Mayo celebration in Branson on Sunday afternoon, May 5, at Branson Meadows, 4562 N. Gretna Rd. in Branson. The event was presented by the Taney County Hispanic Workforce Coalition, along with area Chambers of Commerce and several community sponsors.
Attendees enjoyed live music, food from local restaurants and food trucks, and plenty of games and giveaways, with the nearby Event Center available for seating and breaks from the rain if needed. Along with the fun, the event offered an opportunity to learn more about various resources available in the community, such as healthcare and financial options.
The welcome flyer for the free event shared the vision of the Hispanic Workforce Coalition, which is to help Hispanic individuals and families moving to Taney County feel welcomed and connected to resources that can help make living and working here a positive experience. Several vendors spoke of their gratitude for the many dedicated Hispanic workers throughout the county, including those who serve in hospitality or other industries supporting area tourism; healthcare workers; and those who own businesses that provide valuable construction and trade services.
In case some community residents who stopped by for the delicious tacos and the fun were not familiar with the holiday, the event flyer also gave a few fun facts: Cinco de Mayo celebrates the underdog victory of the Mexican state of Puebla against French invaders—not to be confused with the Mexican Independence Day, which is actually on September 16. Cinco de Mayo is noted for the largest single-day U.S. consumption of guacamole, accounting for the disappearance of over 81 million avocados, and celebrations around the U.S. include some one-of-a-kind events such as Chandler, Arizona’s, Chihuahua Races.
Sponsoring businesses included CoxHealth, Central Bank, Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance and Business Advisors, Arrowhead Building Supply, Signs Now, Big Cedar Lodge, Keller Williams, Holiday Inn Vacations, Faith Community Health, Branson Bank, Hyatt Vacation Ownership, and the McElwee Real Estate Team.