MUSCATINE, Iowa — Thirteen-year-old Jose Barajas enjoyed the sunny warmth spreading through Muscatine Saturday as he and his family attended the third annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. He also liked playing with his sisters, Jaylline and Miriam. But, like many of the people who came to the downtown Muscatine event, he was especially delighted to hear the authentic Mexican music by the West Liberty band Nortemo.

“We’re here to celebrate our Mexican heritage,” said Barajas, who was born in Mexico before coming to the United States 10 years ago.

Although many people at the festival were Latino, Jose said he was pleased to see families from several different cultures were also  enjoying the food, games and music.

“This is how we all get to know each other,” he said.

The event was coordinated by the Muscatine Cultural Celebrations Committee and Mami’s, a downtown Muscatine restaurant.

Sponsors of the downtown Muscatine festival, which ran from

2-9 p.m., included Muscatine’s First National Bank, Monsanto, SSAB, Muscatine Foods Corp., Ascentra and Bridgestone Bandag.

Cinco de Mayo actually translates to the “fifth of May” in Spanish and commemorates the Battle of the Puebla on May 5, 1862, when the  Mexican army, even though it was outnumbered two to one, defeated the French.

Elsa De la Paz, owner of Mami’s, said approximately 250 came to the festival. The largest crowds turned out for the children’s activities, which included pony rides from B and B Farms of the West Liberty area, a free face painting booth by Ascentra and an appearance by Gunny the Clown. Beginning at 5 p.m., the taco eating contests  yielded two winners.

One contest was for local companies that Mami’s caters for during the work week. Representatives from each of those businesses competed for a chance to win a free taco bar that will be brought to their work site.

Jeff Martin ate four tacos in three minutes and won his work team, the Allsteel morning shift, a free taco bar.

The second taco-eating contest was open to the public, and Brad Berry, who ate seven tacos in three minutes, won in that event.

“He ate the last taco in about five seconds,” said Domingo Vasquez, De la Paz’ son. Berry won a $25 gift certificate. All the contestants received free T-shirts, said De La Paz, who is celebrating her fifth year of business in Muscatine.

The evening ended with a two-hour performance by Nortemo.

Hilda Hernandez of West Liberty and her husband, Victor Hernandez, met Hilda’s father Ramiro Castillo, of Muscatine, at the festival. This is the first year Hilda came to Muscatine for the Cinco de Mayo festival, and she said she especially liked the band.

“I like to support the community and be with my family,” said Hilda.