Diners at the Cinco de Mayo, Mexican-themed dinner. This once-a-year event will be at the Oxford Legion on Saturday, May 6 from 5to 7 p.m. Come and enjoy! (Photo by Jeanie Petersen)

OXFORD – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a special Mexican dinner on Saturday, May 6, from 5 to 7 p.m., with the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) of Fort Hill Post #376. Spanish for "fifth of May," this holiday dinner, usually held on the fifth, will be held on the first Saturday, the sixth of May.

This is not simply a dinner, it’s a Mexican “fiesta," and you’re invited to have a delicious, “festivo” meal, listen to Mexican folk music, and enjoy very colorful decorations, all while supporting the educational and charitable ALA missions.

In celebración, Unit 376 Auxiliary members will be preparing food that will take your taste buds to sunny Mexico! The entrées will be beef or chicken tacos, enchiladas, empanadas, and taquitos. There will also be Mexican or white rice. Alternative veggie versions will be available. Food will have just a little mild seasoning; not spicy.

There will be a "help yourself" taco toppings bar, which will include real Mexican hot sauce to please those who like to “feel the burn.” To round out the dinner, there will be (at least) a couple of delicious desserts to drive you loco: Sopapilla cheesecake and tres leches cake or torta de tres leches (from Spanish, "three milks cake").

Mexican dinner prices are just $12. Take-outs are $12.50. “Todos son bienvenidos!” (All are welcome!)

For fun, bring your camera and take a picture of your amigos with their faces through the holes in the amusing fiesta photo panel. Everyone becomes a Señor and Señorita in colorful garb.

For those 21 and over, there will be a special drink menu with real Mexican beer, tequila, RumChata, and Kahlua cocktails. You might decide to finish your dinner with a (spiked) Mexican Café! Cocktails are not included in the dinner price.

The Oxford ALA is involved in youth activities such as Empire Girls' State, and their own $500 scholarship for a female Oxford Academy graduate. They also organize fundraisers like the Memorial Poppy donations, promote child literacy with their Harvest dinner, donate community gift “baskets," and help the Volunteer Services of the NYS Veterans' Home. It is all accomplished with volunteers!

The historic Fort Hill Post #376 is located at 17 S. Washington Avenue. For inquiries, contact the American Legion at 607-843-8166 or email Events@OxfordNY.com.