Cinco de Mayo at Amada's Mexican Restaurant has Established a New Place of "Oh my Gosh" Entertainment for Orange County

By Edie Johnson

Washingtonville -Sometimes its true that pictures (and video) are worth a thousand words. Here are a few that describe this spectacular event for the Grand Opening of Amada's New Mexican Restaurant.

Music and dancing for everyone

Joy and music filled the air while attendees reveled

Little one on the right asked to be photographed

In charge of Sombreros

Mamba and Alma Gonzalez, who have been by Magdalena's side helping to make this event a success.

Last night's Cinco de Mayo at Amada's Mexican Restaurant and Bar in Fulton Square was one for the ages in our vicinity. A melange of Magdalena's very extended family and friends in a perfect blend with Washingtonvillians of all ethnicities, sizes, shapes and voices having the most 'just plain fun' many of us had seen in years. The embroidered dresses, the portico full of children gleefully parading their sombreros, and then the dancing began ....and grew and grew throughout the evening until at the end it morphed into a Spanish line dancing. The volume and quality of every part of the Event proved Amada's Kitchen as THE place to hold any kind of large, event, any time of the year. And I would note that one of the first things the Sanchez family put on the veranda of their beautiful new space is a big, bright American flag.

Elias Cunningham from Assemblyman Brian Maher's office,

presenting a proclamation from the NY Assembly Office to Magdalena and Amada

One of the most special moments of the early evening was the cutting of the Grand Opening Ribbon, done by matriarch of the family, Magdalena's mother, Amada (who, obviously, the restaurant is named after). Her look of love and pride in her daughter, son and son-in-law's accomplishment was sentimental, while the honor of bearing the large scissors was echo'd by the dozen or more grandchildren who surrounded and followed her throughout the evening. And these children could not wait to all line up for the huge group picture.

Carol McCann Greets Amada's Kitchen

for the Blooming Grove Chamber of Commerce

Susan Cohen-Walski gives a "Welcome" from the Washingtonville

Village Board

After the ribbon-cutting Magdalena was presented with an official proclamation from the State Assembly by Elias Cunningham, who was there representing Assemblyman Brian Maher. Carol McCann did the welcoming honors

for the Blooming Grove Chamber of Commerce, and Susan Cohen-Walski spoke on behalf of the Village Board (see videos above).

Meanwhile, in the beautifully decorated interior, couples caught the Latino vibe and swinged and swayed with the Spanish music, each couple improvising a dance style of their own, with a twirl of the ladies added here and there while couples enjoyed carefully prepared meals and a nearly endless variety of alcoholic and soft drinks to choose from.

The biggest "Takeaway" from this Cinco de Mayo celebration is that "YES", Amada's Kitchen is ready and able to handle any large and special event. It has the space, and both the culinary and social knowledge, along with connections in the area that will bring in an incredible variety of entertainment. However,

it will be hard to match the incredible festival clothing designs that will linger in the minds of those who attended this Cinco de Mayoi for a very long time.

Editor's Note: But there is another very important takeaway...especially as we are entering some difficult times (though you would not know it at all from last evening). My grandfather built Canal Zone housing in the 40's and 50's and my Uncle was a Fire Chief of the Panama Canal. We visited there regularly when I was a youngster and teenager, even attending school there for awhile, so I had the good fortune to see some of these festivals and beautiful costumes and even bring some home. I was deeply impressed by an important lifestyle difference. All people in the world have joy and tragedy. But in Mexico and many parts of South America there is a special kind of resilience, an unflappability, and the ability to express that kind of festival joy and 'party like there's no tomorrow and no yesterday', because not only you, but your friends and family need to remember joy and hope in order to want to keep moving on and not lose your smile. Sometimes I have wondered if it's related to them "taking a fiesta" in the middle of the day. Then you can put your hat on and get back to work!

Credits:

Elias Cunningham came to represent the office of Assemblyman Brian Maher

Entertainment - Music by Mike , Live Performance by Lorely Chavez