Dancers outside in red dresses

Trip Planning

Go RVing to These 2024 Cinco De Mayo Celebrations

RV enthusiasts can travel to these Cinco de Mayo celebrations recommended by Jeff Crider!

Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a popular day to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage, with dances, parades and other activities taking place in many cities across the country.

Many Cinco de Mayo events make terrific weekend activities for RV enthusiasts, since campgrounds are often conveniently located nearby.

Denver, Colorado's Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival has been a Mile High tradition for more than three decades with a parade and live entertainment from morning to night with several genres of Latin music, including Mariachi, Salsa and Norteño. There will also be hundreds of vendors selling Mexican folk art, handcrafted goods, and some of Colorado’s best Mexican cuisine. Nearby campgrounds include Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood and Flying Saucer RV Park in Sheridan.

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Photo courtesy of Visit Denver

In Texas, San Antonio's Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival at Historic Market Square is a popular event with folkloric dance performances, food booths and working artists as well as local retailers sell Mexican artifacts, clothing and art. Nearby campgrounds include
Hidden Valley RV Park and Alamo River RV Park & Campground, both in Von Ormy.

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Photo courtesy of Visit San Antonio

Arizona's Largest Cinco de Mayo Festival takes place in downtown Phoenix. The event includes food and drink, family activities, Lucha libre and folkloric dance performances and live music featuring both local and national bands. Nearby campgrounds include Desert's Edge RV Park in Phoenix and Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort in El mirage.

Of course, many campgrounds also offer their own Cinco de Mayo activities, which can involve everything from maraca, sombrero, and piñata-making activities to fiesta-style potlucks and Salsa and Bachata dance lessons. Here’s a sampling of Cinco de Mayo weekend activities at campgrounds across the country:

San Diego Metro KOA Resort in Chula Vista: Cinco de Mayo activities at this campground include a family hula hoop contest with live music, a family wiffle ball game, plaster painting, a coloring contest and a swimming pool basketball game.

Wolf's Den Family Campground in East Haddam: This park will celebrate Cinco de Mayo weekend with a fiesta potluck, sombrero races, piñatas and high-stakes bingo.

Clearwater / Tarpon Lake KOA Holiday in Palm Harbor: Cinco de Mayo weekend activities at this campground include craft classes, including wine glass painting; kids’ fun with piñatas and pin the tail on the donkey; Salsa and bachata dance lessons; a taco bar with all the fixings; and festive Latin music at the pool cabana all weekend.

Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Bremen: Cinco de Mayo activities at this park include a piñata-smashing contest, where blindfolded participants aim to unleash the sweetest treasures. Like spicy? Test your taste buds in guessing the correct hot sauce flavors. Guests can also create colorful and festive crafts, participate in a campsite decorating contest to win a prize.

Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Pittsfield: Campers can make their own maracas and sombreros and dance the night away with Yogi Bear and friends at the park’s taco bar potluck. Guests are encouraged to bring their best taco recipe and trimmings for everyone to enjoy. The park will also make some yummy sombrero cookies as a special treat.

Jellystone Park in Pelahatchie: This park will celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Hispanic heritage with crafts, games, and dancing. The campground will also have a taco social.

Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake in Port Republic: This park in planning colorful crafts and other activities in recognition of Cinco de Mayo.

 

Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Endicott: This park begins Cinco de Mayo weekend with a pajama dance party on Friday night. However, the highlight of the weekend will be waking up all the bears on Saturday morning with Ranger Smith. Saturday evening the park will have a pajama piñata party with Yogi Bear and Cindy Bear to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the returning of camping season.

Dogwood Acres Campground in Newville: This campground will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with its 19th annual chili cookoff. Guests are invited to bring their best chili and prepare to be judged or simply come for the tasting and party. Bowls will be sold to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. On Saturday evening, the campground will also have its own Kentucky Derby Races. Guests are invited to bring their drinks and snacks.

Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Tyler: This campground will celebrate Cinco de Mayo weekend with a fiesta with live entertainment and a hot pepper eating contest.

Champions Riverside Resort in Galesville: This campground celebrates both Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby on the same weekend. Guests are invited to wear their best derby hat or decorate one in the bar and walk in the hat parade while the audience votes for the best hat. The winner gets a cash prize. Guests can also celebrate Cinco de Mayo with margarita flights or hit piñatas filled with shooters, bar chips, and certificates for adults and candy for kids.

Jeff Crider

Author

Jeff Crider, President and CEO of Crider Public Relations, has been involved in covering the campground industry for over 25 years. Jeff has worked as a freelance writer for publications such as RV Business, Motor Home Magazine, Trailer Life, Highways and other Affinity Group Inc. publications since 1995. He has also successfully pitched many of the nation's top tier media outlets, including CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Financial Times, Reuters, The Associated Press and National Public Radio. In addition to writing, Jeff is also a talented photographer and humanitarian.