Cinco de Mayo: Fiestas at Home

Max Vela, has on his birthday sombrero and is ready to celebrate with his sisters, Gabbi and Gianna, at the Quarantine Cantina.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused us to be living la vida loca the last six weeks. This year, Cinco de Mayo may seem more like Quarantino de Mayo, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still fiesta. Enjoy these creative ways to celebrate! Ole!

What do you when you just turned 21 and are finally old enough to go to a bar but thanks to the coronavirus you can’t go out to celebrate because everything is closed? If you’re Max Vela, you head to the Quarantine Cantina. Max, a student at University of Texas, celebrated his 21st birthday with his parents, Joel and Meredith, and sisters, Gabbi and Gianna, in their Bellaire home in March. Since no bars were open, they brought the bar to him and festively decorated their bar area. To show their support, his parents and older sister, Gabbi, did a round of tequila shots with him to celebrate. The Velas know how to throw a fiesta - read more about their traditional Cinco de Mayo fun (when not in quarantine). 

Drake Everist, (on right), celebrating his 20th birthday last year with his older brother, Mason. Drake looks forward to celebrating his 21st birthday with Mexican food. Salud!

Cinco de Mayo is one of Drake Everist’s favorite days of the year. Not just because of the festivities surrounding the Mexican independence day but because May 5 is his birthday. Family tradition is that the person being honored gets to pick the restaurant where everyone goes for dinner. Even though he can pick just about anything, most times, Drake choses Mexican. This year, he’s looking forward to dinner from Pappasito’s. Feliz 21st Cumpleanos, Drake! Drake attends Pepperdine University but for now is quarantining in West University with his parents, Tracy and Jeff Everist. 

Viva Cinco de Bayou! Pictured, enjoying a fun crawfish boil last Cinco de Mayo, are Dr. Aaron Dominguez, Jeff Camp, DeeDee Garcia, Lupe Pena, Eddy Cross, Sara Garnum, Kamryn Pena, Gilbert Garcia and Adriana Cross.

Maybe you like celebrating Cinco de Mayo but prefer (GASP!) eating crawfish? No problemo, you can celebrate Cinco de Bayou style. Last year, DeeDee and Gilbert Garcia hosted a Cinco de Bayou Crawfish Boil at their house. Friends and family had a great time enjoying the meal prepared by chef and St. Thomas High School principal, Dr. Aaron Dominguez, who donated his cooking skills as an auction item for an STH fundraiser. 

Doesn’t everyone have a piñata costume just hanging in their closet?! Bellaire mom, Kristi Coffey, does! Please remind your kids to not attempt to hit her for candy if they see her in the costume.

One of the perks of quarantine has been curbside, drive-through or to-go adult beverages including margaritas. A variety of restaurants even have the option of purchasing by the gallon. As always, be a responsible drinker. If not, you could end up wearing something crazy like a piñata costume (although Bellaire mom, Kristi Coffey, likes wearing it even when she’s sober). She also has an inflatable sumo and dinosaur costume so she’s standing by for any occasion.

A possible Cinco de Mayo activity is playing Loteria, which is often referred to as Mexican Bingo. The game has picture cards that each have drawings of recognizable items and the word for it in Spanish. Words like el gallo (rooster) or el libro (book). Artist Rafael Gonzales Jr. has created some new, humorous cards inspired by coronavirus. Gems include el hoarder (a stack of toilet paper rolls) and el trabajo (the job) which depicts a laptop dialed up to Zoom.

The Three Amigos Mariachis of University Boulevard have brought smiles and excitement about Cinco de Mayo to Southside and West University neighbors all month long. 

Houstonians are lucky to live in Houston and have so many choices when it comes to amazing Mexican food restaurants. Thankfully, many locations are open and serving your favorite dishes and offering take-out, curbside delivery and home delivery options. 

However you celebrate, we wish you a fun and safe fiesta.