Traditional Mexican Costume

Modesto Fourth of July event draws patriotic crowd

Tradition was on the march in Modesto on Monday, with the waving flags, old cars and sweltering heat that parade veterans have come to expect on the Fourth of July.

One hundred and five entries wound their way through downtown starting promptly at 10 a.m. and finishing with the blaring sirens of Burbank-Paradise Fire Department trucks at12:20 p.m.

The on-time start was part of the focus on a "seamless, smooth event — more of a production level," said Jeremiah Williams, Kiwanis parade chairman. The Modesto Kiwanis Club ran the parade this year, adding some awards and canceling the end-of-parade picnic at Graceada Park.

Watch for big changes next year, Williams said with a grin.

But many of the spectators said they came to the parade for what doesn't change.

"What I love about it is the traditions of it. It's always the same," said Andrea Bates. She and husband Tim Bates were marking their 30th year of watching the parade, sitting in matching red scooters and flying U.S. flags.

Clayton and Pauline Johnson of Ceres claimed their seats at 5:30 a.m., the same spot they've had for a decade. "It's a family get-together," Pauline Johnson said, gesturing to waiting chairs. "I like the different floats, the whole atmosphere."

Army Pfc. Devyn Searles of Modesto and Navy Seaman Michael Himel of Seattle took a break from training in Monterey to enjoy an old-fashioned Fourth. Searles said her favorite entries were the old cars. "I was telling him — American Graffiti is our town!" she said.

Family happening

Three generations of the Amador family were decked out in red, white and blue, under shade awnings. Behind the two dozen or so chairs were tables with food and coolers of water and soda. Anita Amador of Modesto said she started planning last year for this year.

"We're bringing our grandchildren here to enjoy what we did when we were young," Amador said. After the parade, the family was heading home for a barbecue with hot dogs, hamburgers, apple pie, watermelon and, of course, fireworks.

But first, there were flags to wave — $1 each from street vendors for those who came without — candidates to wave to and waves of motorcycles, marching bands and flat- bed trucks floating past.

Not too many horses, though. Janet Vaccaro was among those who missed them. Other than that, she said, it had been a good parade "like always."

Cheerleader Liliana Rodriguez said marching in her first parade was tiring but fun. "The hardest part was trying to be loud," she said.

nongnee - traditional mexican wedding dresses

Every May 5th, millions of people on both sides of the Rio Grande celebrate Cinco de Mayo (although there ar actually far more people who celebrate this vacation in the United States than in Mexico). The day is pronounced with parades, concerts, dance performances, cultural exhibits and other activities for people of all ages as well as of course many private parties in cities from coast to coast.

Besides enjoying plenty of Mexican food and drink and taking in the parades and other excitement of the holiday, many people choose to get dressed up for the vacation with Cinco de Mayo dresses and other outfits, which match the south of the border theme of the day.

If you are interested in really acquiring into the spirit of the vacation this year, then there ar plenty of unlike options available to you; especially if you live in a city, which has a sizeable Latino population, you will be able to find dresses for Cinco de Mayo with ease. However, if you would like a little bit of advice on what to look for before you go shopping, then read on for some helpful hints on Cinco de Mayo dresses.

One pop choice for women's outfits for the vacation events is the traditional Mexican peasant dress; a look which is reminiscent of old Mexico and is a Cinco de Mayo classic. You may be able to find something suitable at a costume shop or vintage clothing store - or again, a women's clothing store, which caters to the Latino community in your city, is likely to have something. If not, the store stave will probably have some good suggestions of places to look; and of course, you could also choose to shop online if you have enough time left before Cinco de Mayo rolls around, that is.

Another choice for women looking for something a little more formal in their Cinco de Mayo dresses is to pick up a quinceanera gown; this Mexican debutante tradition involves elaborate, formal dresses, which ar much like prom dresses. In any city with a large Mexican-American population, you should be capable to find one or more of these shops easily.

A dissimilar traditional choice isn't a dress at all, but the classic Mexican peasant look of a white blouse worn off the shoulder paired with a long skirt, sandals and a bright flower worn in the hair (either a hibiscus blossom or a tissue paper flower ar an excellent choice). In the end though, it does non matter whether you choose one of the many Cinco de Mayo dresses or simply jeans and a t-shirt to wear to a Cinco de Mayo event, but what is important is that you have fun, enjoy some Mexican food and drink and give a tip of your hat to our southerly neighbors.

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