With Cinco de Mayo only a few short days away, some boaters might be looking for a good way to spend this celebration of Mexico’s victory over Napoleon’s forces on May 5, 1862. Fortunately, there are many fun options on the Great Lakes and in the surrounding area.
Some options for celebration can be found on the lakes themselves. In “A Guide to Celebrating Cinco de Mayo” on Crownline’s website, Elofson notes that there are some fun Cinco de Mayo themed cruises on Lake Michigan leaving out of ports in Chicago. Other options, for those who are willing to go ashore or drive away from the lakes a bit can be found in cities surrounding the Great Lakes.
Local businesses such as bars, breweries, restaurants, and hotels in many areas are hosting events that offer fun and Mexican food to celebrate the holiday. Some local organizations are even hosting fundraisers to celebrate the event, which provides the opportunity to enjoy the holiday and give back to the community. For example, Toledo, Ohio offers a 5K run and 1 Mile walk on the holiday, with proceeds that go to the Summer Camp Youth Program at Adelante. There are even some great family friendly activities celebrating the holiday, such as the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration, which includes activities and entertainment for free with admission!
Be sure to check days for all local events though, as some actually begin Friday the 3rd or Saturday the 4th before Cinco de Mayo on the fifth of May.
Even if some areas don’t have any special Cinco de Mayo activities, sightseeing could still be a fun way to spend the weekend! There plenty of sightseeing options in the Great Lakes region. For example, you could take the time to visit some of our favorite lighthouses around Lake Erie, mentioned here.
Of course, you can still have fun from your boat on the Great Lakes as well by firing up the grill to create a traditional Cinco de Mayo dish from the comfort of your boat.
What better way to celebrate the holiday than with traditional Mexican food such as Carne Asada, which is easy to grill. Cook a traditional Mexican dish and enjoy it with friends and family if you want to celebrate the holiday from the comfort of your own boat or the beach.
No matter what you do for the holiday, stay safe and enjoy the fun of the Great Lakes and surrounding area!
For More Information:
Crownline
www.crownline.com
Toledo 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk:
www.toledo.com
Toledo Zoo Cinco de Mayo Celebration
www.toledozoo.org/cinco
Top Lighthouses- Lake Erie
www.greatlakesboating.com
