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🇲🇽 Not your average Friday

How to spend Cinco de Mayo 2023 in Columbus, OH

Find the closest El Vaquero via its website. | Photo via El Vaquero Hilliard

This Friday, May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, which has evolved into a massively popular celebration in the states as the country commemorates Mexican culture and heritage. The holiday honors Mexico’s victory over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The Second Franco-Mexican War didn’t end that day, but the battle became a symbol of resistance against foreign powers.

Columbus is always ready for a fiesta + this year we are bringing you 10 ways to join in.

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations | Friday, May 5 | 11 a.m. | Budd Dairy Food Hall, 1086 N. Fourth St., Italian Village | Free | Stop by from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for El Mercadito, a collection of Latino artists + small businesses.
Cinco de Mayo Music Fest | Friday, May 5 | 10 p.m. | Granero Lounge, 51 Vine St., Downtown | Free | Keep the celebrations going late into the night with DJ Roomulo at this dance party.

CBUStoday Budd Dairy — Celebrate your Cinco de Mayo at Budd Dairy Food Hall for views like this. | Photo via @budddairyfodhall

ORANGE SODA: Cinco de Mayo Edition | Friday, May 5 | 10 p.m. | The Kee, 225 Neilston St., Downtown | $5-$50 | Listen to DJs spin hip-hop + R&B hits from the 2000s at one of the newest downtown event venues.
Cinco Dias of Fiesta! | Friday, May 5-Tuesday, May 9 | Times vary | El Vaquero, all locations | Cost of purchase | The local Mexican restaurant will feature deals across multiple days, including discounts on its newest beer “El Vaquero Chingon.”
Margarita & Mimosa Fest | Saturday, May 6 | 2 p.m. | Park Street Cantina, 491 Park St., Downtown | $26 | Bar hop through three bars in the area with specialty cocktails at each spot.

5 more ways to celebrate

Events

Wednesday, May 3

Breakfast Food Trucks | Wednesday, May 3 | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | Columbus Commons, 160 S. High St., Downtown | Free | Upgrade your morning routine with breakfast from local food trucks.
Funniest Person in Columbus Contest | Wednesday, May 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Columbus Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Ctr., Easton | $10 | Watch the semifinals of this ongoing competition before a winner is crowned next week.

Thursday, May 4

Visions of Spain: Goya & 19th Century Spanish Art | Thursday, May 4 | 2 p.m. | Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., Downtown | $5-$20 | Listen to a discussion about Francisco Goya + Joaquín Sorolla, two historic artists.

Friday, May 5

Columbus Crew 2 vs. Huntsville FC | Friday, May 5 | 7 p.m. | Historic Crew Stadium, 1 Black and Gold Blvd., Columbus | $8-$10 | Support the developmental second team of the Columbus Crew in a home match.
The Dolly Party | Friday, May 5 | 9:30 p.m. | The Bluestone, 583 E. Broad St., Downtown | $14 | Dance the night away to disco remixes of Dolly Parton songs at this 18+ party.

Saturday, May 6

Soap Box Derby Racing - Championships | Saturday, May 6 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Big Run Park Derby Hill, 4201 Chime Rd., Columbus | Free | Watch racers ages 7-21 race down a hill in custom made box cars.

100+ more events

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News Notes

Open

Welcome home, Homestead Beer Co. This Licking County-based brewery is now open in Canal Winchester at 10 S. High St. The taproom opens daily at 11 a.m. with patio seating, a fully stocked bar, and fresh pizza made in-house. (NBC4)

Development

Rickenbacker Industrial Center is now home to a one million-sqft warehouse after construction crews finished the project on Monday. This is just the first part of a multi-phased project where 3+ million sqft of space will be dedicated to these warehouses. Rickenbacker is now looking for tenants. (Columbus Business First)

Closing

Rice Bowl, a popular local Chinese restaurant for 60+ years, announced it will close at the end of the month. The current location will be demolished in the future to make way for affordable housing + the restaurant does not plan to reopen in a new location. (The Columbus Dispatch)

Edu

Columbus City Schools, home to 45,000+ local students, is closing in on its new superintendent. The school released its list of six finalists, which includes Angela Chapman, current interim superintendent. See the full list. (The Columbus Dispatch)

Arts

Ronald Jenkins, Columbus Symphony Chorus Director, announced he will retire at the end of the season, capping off a 41-year career. The final show, “Welcome to Spring,” is on Saturday, May 20-Sunday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ohio Theatre. Grab tickets now. (ABC6 On Your Side)

Shop

Taft’s Brewpourium, located at 440 W. Broad St., is now the home of Friendship Flea during each installment of Franklin Fridays. The brewery will host a variety of local vendors offering handmade art, vintage clothes, and home decor every second Friday of the month throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

Finance

The average retirement savings by age may be shocking, but it’s not too late to seek advice. A financial advisor could help increase your returns and alleviate stress. Try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*

Fun Fact

National Beverage Day is this Saturday, May 6. In celebration, we’re featuring some of our Six & Main beverage brands across our markets including Blanchard’s Coffee, a|dash, Sarilla, Matcha Nude, and more. Start sipping now.

Kids

The perfect family-friendly activity does exist, and you can even do it all spring and summer long, rain or shine. We’re talking about Kids Bowl Free — a national program that connects you with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling each day. Learn more + sign up.

Sports

🏒 May the odds be ever in your favor

Columbus Blue Jackets offer chance to meet next draft pick

The ice arena doubles as a concert venue. | Photo via CBUStoday

After a rough season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, things are looking bright in the offseason + the local hockey team wants one fan to join in on the action.

Currently, CBJ holds the second best odds — 13.5% — at receiving the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. And for the next five days, fans can test their own luck with a new online lottery.

This new site is simple: can you secure the No. 1 overall draft pick? After entering your contact information, you’ll be able to find out. If anyone locks in the coveted pick, they are entered for a chance to meet the actual pick on draft night, Wednesday, June 28.

By the way, did we mention the magnitude of this draft? Experts are projecting Connor Bedard to be the top pick + he’s widely considered a franchise-changing player. (Think: LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers.)

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Mitch

From the editor

If you’re looking for something local to sip on this Cinco de Mayo, I really like El Lager from Saucy Brew Works. It’s an easy drinking beer with a low ABV so you can crush a few throughout the day without getting too full. Looking for a non-alcoholic alternative? Try a N/A mango margarita from Barrio.

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