Cinco de Mayo

Do you know the history of Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War that took place from 1861-1867. Specifically, it marks the day when General Ignacio Zaragoza and a group of 2,000 ill-supplied Mexican soldiers defeated Charles Ferdinand Latrille, Comte de Lorence after French forces attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. Five hundred French soldiers were killed in the battle; fewer than 100 Mexican soldiers were killed.

The victory became a rallying cry for Mexican forces.

The celebration later spread to California as Mexican immigrants arrived in the state. It grew from there to the rest of the country in the 1940s. In Mexico, it is most often called “El Día de la Batalla de Puebla” or the Day of the Battle of Puebla. Puebla still celebrates the day with a reenactment of the battle.

Today, the holiday is celebrated more in America than Mexico, complete with traditional foods, music and festivals. Many Americans, however, confuse May 5 with Mexican Independence Day though in fact Mexican independence was declared 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. Mexican Independence Day is commemorated on Sept. 16.

The largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the U.S. is held in Los Angeles.

This year the Coloma Shuttle is celebrating it’s 4th year of shuttling boaters thru the valley. And this year we are also celebrating the 1st year of Shuttle service for Slab Creek & Ice House runs.

Slab Creek – Class IV+

Only one weekend left to get on this run May 14-15. The Coloma Shuttle will be offering shuttle service from the take out at Rock Creek going to Slab Creek put in at 8:30 & 10:30 am. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

Ice House – Class III-IV

Limited release dates for 2016: May 18-19-20-21-22, June 25-26. We will be offering shuttle service on May 21-22 and June 25-26. With shuttles from the take out to the put in durning the morning hours. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. If you are looking for a mid-week shuttle on May 18-19-20 please contact our office at 530-303-2404.