By Jeanie Petersen, Sun Contributor

OXFORD – On Saturday, May 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the American Legion Auxiliary of Fort Hill Post #376 will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a special Mexican-style dinner from 5 to 7 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo is Spanish and translates as ‘fifth of May.’ It is a holiday of national pride in Mexico. The Saturday fiesta will include a buffet meal, mariachi music, a raffle, and colorful decor, all while supporting the educational and charitable missions of the American Legion.

Cinco de Mayo, celebrated in the U.S. and in Mexico, commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French in 1862. The victory helped Mexico establish a greater sense of national unity, sovereignty and patriotism.

This year’s celebration will have an array of delicious foods that will take your taste buds to sunny Mexico, prepared by Unit 376 Auxiliary members. It will be served buffet style, downstairs, opposite the Legion bar. There will be freshly made tomato salsa or pico de gallo to nibble on with tortilla chips, beef/chicken tacos, chicken empanadas, (handmade) gorditas, Mexican arroz (rice), and more. Food will have just a little mild spice. There will be real Mexican hot sauce. To round out the dinner, there will be a couple of delicious desserts: Sopapilla cheesecake and Tres Leches cake (a sponge cake soaked with a mixture of three milks).