Staff at a Torquay restaurant which delights local residents and visitors from around the globe with special themed parties will be dressing up in ponchos and sombrero’s next month…….to celebrate Mexico’s independence.

Cinco de Mayo may not be on everyone’s lips but it’s a day of celebration for Mexicans and following the huge success of a special party last year, staff at the Riviera International Centre’s Bay Brasserie in Torquay are planning another party to celebrate the country’s victory over the invading French back in 1862.
The Mexican Night will be held on Saturday May 5th  and, needless to say, the evening will be devoted to Mexican food, Mexican tipples and of course Mexican music.

Marketing manager Jenny Thompson explained: “The Bay Brasserie is renowned for its celebration parties. We’ve held lunches and dinners to mark Bastille Day, American Independence Day, St Patrick’s, St George’s and even Jamaican Independence Day and with a lot of interest in Mexico we felt we would like Torbay’s Mexican residents and visitors to join in their special day.

Jenny added: “May 5th is not Mexican Independence Day but it should be. Mexico actually declared its independence from mother Spain on the 15th September 1810, but eleven years of turmoil and civil war followed leaving the economy in tatters with heavy debts to several nations.

“The French landed in Mexico (along with Spanish and English troops) on the pretext of collecting Mexican debts from the newly elected government. The English and Spanish quickly made deals and left but the French had other ideas. They wanted to expand their empire, so decided to invade Mexico.

“It resulted in a bitter war between the Mexicans and the French. The U.S. were sympathetic to Mexico, but being involved in their own civil war at the time were unable to offer assistance.

“On the 5th of May 1962 the French Army of some 6,500 soldiers were gloriously defeated, by just 4,000 poorly armed Mexican militia lead by General Ignacio Zaragoza. This battle that took place 100 miles east of Mexico City at Puebla stopped the invasion of Mexico and was a momentous day for a country in need of unity.

“Unfortunately, Napoleon was not happy and deployed 30,000 soldiers and in a year France ruled Mexico. Luckily, this was short lived and as the American civil war ended the US were able to offer political and military assistance to expel the French.

Jenny added: “Mexico received enormous help from the Americans which is something they will never forget.  Together they honour the extreme bravery of General Zargoza’s small army on the 5th of May. That’s why Cinco de Mayo is such a party…a party that celebrates freedom and liberty.”

Anyone you would like to join in the party should contact the Brasserie on 01803 206337.