Imperial Valley College celebrates Cinco de Mayo

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) - Students and faculty at Imperial Valley College celebrated Cinco de Mayo Tuesday with food, music, and culture. For many, it wasn't just about the party, it was about connecting with their roots.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Attendees snacked on authentic Mexican food prepared by Amy's Snack Shack on campus. Student clubs served ice cream and agua frescas.

"We opted to do this, as we are a trans-border community college. It's a little celebration for our students,"Miriam Trejo, Student Activities Coordinator told KYMA.

"We do have an opening art show tomorrow, so they get a chance to sneak peek at tomorrow's art. Also, we have karaoke, Antojitos Mexicano. It's a little taste of our culture," she said.

The event gave students the chance to check out a new art exhibit opening on May 6, while they mingled and ate.

Art gallery director Jose Bernardo Olmedo said the new art exhibit was open for any student to submit their work in any medium.

"We have sculpture, we have painting, we have animations, from drawings, watercolor, mixed media, oil paints, acrylics, so it's all that," he said.

For some people, like Trejo, the day is a chance to share their heritage and customs.

"My favorite part of Cinco de Mayo is people who normally wouldn't celebrate my heritage are celebrating it," Trejo said.

The organizers say it's all about bringing people together.