Good food, good brews, good music

ALAMOSA — This month, First Friday coincided with a celebration of Cinco de Mayo held on San Juan Avenue in downtown Alamosa. The result was a festive evening for all who attended, many of whom feasted on “Cinco Burgers” and craft beer from San Luis Valley Brewing Company while music played on the stage.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. That holiday occurs on Sept. 16, the anniversary of the speech by Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1810 that ultimately freed Mexico from Spain. In his speech, the Grito de Dolores or the Cry of Delores, Hidalgo y Costilla called for a revolution against the injustices of the Spanish. The Treaty of Cordoba signed in 1821 recognized Mexican independence.