CINCO DE MAYO EVENTS

Hourly live entertainment at Olvera Street and a free 90-minute concert by the Los Angeles Philharmonic head this weekend’s observance of Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday that attracts more interest north of the border.

More than 100,000 visitors are expected at Olvera Street, the Mexican marketplace near downtown where the first structures of El Pueblo de la Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula were built in the 1830s.

The Philharmonic’s performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, sponsored in part by the Plaza de la Raza cultural center in Lincoln Heights, is part of a resurgence of Cinco de Mayo activities at the Los Angeles Music Center, where such programs died out several years ago, officials said.

The holiday marks the 1862 victory of an ill-equipped Mexican army over superior French troops at Puebla, southeast of Mexico City. The victory was short-lived as the French eventually toppled the government of President Benito Juarez and proclaimed an Austrian, Maximillian, emperor of Mexico. Juarez and his followers ultimately regained power in 1867.

Although Cinco de Mayo attracts little attention in Mexico--a parade in Mexico City and Puebla--the holiday’s popularity has grown in the United States as many public schools and restaurants have promoted it as a suitable day to celebrate Mexican culture and pride.

In the 1960s, Chicano activists linked the holiday’s significance--the valiant battle of Mexicans against outside oppressors--with the struggle of Chicanos for equality in the United States.

For the record, the most important Mexican holiday is the 16th of September--which marks the start of Mexico’s rebellion for independence from Spain in 1810.

Following is a partial listing of this weekend’s activities.

Saturday, May 4

Olvera Street, downtown Los Angeles--Hourly entertainment, including mariachi music, puppets and folklorico dancing, beginning at 10 a.m. Continues Sunday.

Roosevelt County Park, South-Central Los Angeles--Carnival activities, beginning at noon. Music by Mariachi Alma de Mexico and break-dancing exhibitions. Continues Sunday with more mariachi music, a car show, a beauty contest, a swimming exhibition and a concert of jazz and gospel music .

East Los Angeles College, Monterey Park--A carnival, featuring rides, food booths and art exhibits, beginning at 10 a.m. Continues Sunday.

Lincoln Park, Lincoln Heights--Entertainment, food booths and games, beginning at 11 a.m. Among the groups appearing are Los Lobos, the True Believers, Califas and Uclatino. Continues Sunday.

Lennox Park, Lennox--A carnival, featuring live entertainment, games and food booths, beginning at 11 a.m. Continues Sunday with a parade, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Lennox High School.

Lopez Abode, San Fernando--A gala dinner, beginning at 7 p.m.

Sunday, May 5

San Fernando Recreation Park, San Fernando--A 10-kilometer race, beginning at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $11 with a T-shirt and $6 without. Also, various bike races, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and daylong activities, including live music, food booths and games.

Avocado Heights County Park, La Puente--Music, games and food booths, beginning at noon. A Mexican rodeo at noon, a horse show at 1 p.m. and a musical performance by Los Hermanos Rojo also are scheduled.

Belvedere Regional County Park, East Los Angeles--Music, games and food booths, beginning at noon. Live shows, featuring Los Solitarios, Group Latino, Juan Carlos, Rosalia and Los Vestigos, beginning at 2 p.m.

Whittier Quad shopping center, Whitter--Music, games and food booths, beginning at 10 a.m. A tortilla-making contest also is featured.

Music Center, downtown Los Angeles--Continuous entertainment and food booths, beginning at noon. Continual music and dance performances in the mall and on Hope Street, which will closed to vehicular traffic. A free, 90-minute concert by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at 2 p.m.

Ruben F. Salazar County Park, East Los Angeles--A senior citizens’ dance, featuring Angel Ortiz y Su Conjunto, beginning at 1 p.m.

Parque de Mexico, Lincoln Heights--A Mexican flag-raising ceremony at El Parque de Mexico, adjacent to Lincoln Park, featuring Agustin Garcia Lopez, Mexico’s consul general in Los Angeles, Damien Correu, president of El Comite Mexicano Civico Patriotico, and Los Angeles City Councilman Arthur K. Snyder, beginning at noon.

Bristow Park, City of Commerce--A carnival, featuring food booths, games, mariachi music, folklorico dances, Latin jazz and rhythm music, beginning at noon.