CINCO DE MAYO EVENTS : Fiestas, Food and Lots of Fun

Cinco de Mayo celebrations around the county this year range from a mariachi festival in Santa Ana and street festivals in Anaheim and San Juan Capistrano to a cruise on Newport Harbor. Major college festivals are slated at UC Irvine and Irvine Valley College.

Weekend celebrations include:

- “Mariachi Festival 1991,” Friday through Sunday in downtown Santa Ana. Fourth Street will be closed to vehicles from Broadway to French Street, with performance stages at Sycamore and at French streets. More than 75 booths offering food, drink (no alcohol) and information from various charity and community groups will line the streets. Authentic mariachi bands will play Saturday and Sunday from 3:45 to 7 p.m. On Sunday morning at 10.30 a.m., Msgr. Jaime Soto will lead a mariachi Mass at St. Joseph Church, with an appearance by Mariachi Uclatlan. Information: (714) 542-7287 or (714) 558-6869.

- Anaheim celebrates Cinco de Mayo today through Sunday at La Palma Park, Harbor and La Palma boulevards, with music, folk dancers, carnival rides, Mexican food and a soccer tournament. Hours: 5 to 11 p.m. today (carnival only); 5 p.m. to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Information: (714) 254-5191.

- San Juan Capistrano celebrates Cinco de Mayo on Saturday with mariachis, folk dancers, Aztec dancers, food, games and exhibit booths at the tennis courts below the San Juan library. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Information: (714) 493-1752.

- A “floating fiesta” Cinco de Mayo Harbor Cruise, Sunday evening at Newport Harbor. The $25 cost per person covers food and music aboard the Catalina Flyer, with proceeds to benefit the Newport Harbor Art Museum. Guests will be able to meet Michael Botwinick, the museum’s new director. The cruise is from 7 to 9 p.m. Information and reservations: (714) 759-1122.

- UC Irvine’s campus celebration, sponsored by the university and the campus chapter of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, includes a lecture by writer, critic and poet Max Benavidez and an art and poetry contest awards ceremony today. On Friday, there will be a performance by Banning High School’s Ballet Folklorico at noon, followed by a lecture by poet, author and critic Cherrie Moraga at 2 p.m. and a dance featuring La Banda starting at 9 p.m. on the Student Center Terrace. Saturday will be Dia de la Familia (“Family Day”) with a midday picnic in Aldrich Park, catered by El Asadero, with pinatas and games. Information: (714) 856-7215.

- Irvine Valley College will observe Cinco de Mayo with a multimedia presentation Sunday evening in the college’s courtyard and Gallery Hall. An exhibition by Emigdio Vasquez, “Treinta Anos de Trabajo,” covering 30 years of the artist’s work, will be on display through May 17. A new issue of The Elephant-ear, the college’s journal of art and writing, featuring Vasquez’ work on the cover, will be distributed. Gallery events begin at 6 p.m. with music starting at 8 p.m., performed by the jazz group of Strunz and Farah. The event is free. Information: (714) 559-3299 or (714) 559-3208.