This year, Mexicans and all those who delight in margaritas did not have a monopoly on Cinco de Mayo.
Not only was it the Kentucky Derby, it was also the Chinese Dragon Boat/Asian Festival, the International Antiques and Collectibles Show at the Metrolina Expo, and the Strawberry Festival.
Why choose? Scott decided to do it all.
First stop, we arrived at Lake Norman to see the dragon boat races. The race is a Chinese tradition which takes place on the 5th day of the 5th month in the lunar calendar. The timing shifts each year, like Easter and Passover. Maybe in Charlotte they just decided it was easier to do it on the 5th of May; or it was a conscious choice to compete with those from South of the border.
It’s been years since I’ve seen a race and I was thrilled. At the sound of a horn, a race started and five boats lunged forward, the teams of ten rowing in unison to the beat of their drummers who resembled conductors in a symphony. Within a minute, the race was over, except the uncoordinated Red team, which still struggled toward the finish line.
At the festival, I saw more Asians than I thought existed in Charlotte, and more Caucasian parents with adopted Asian girls than I had ever seen. The girls all looked happy and behaved no differently than other children, and the parents just as doting. For those who ever wonder how inter-racial adoptions work, just find the nearest Asian festival in a predominantly white city.
Aside from knick knacks and ethnic foods, there was the Miss Asian Carolinas pageant. A dozen girls in traditional costume representing India, Japan, China, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, even Bhutan and Nepal lined up to be introduced. Three Mongolian women were introduced onstage, then promptly walked off. The organizers probably didn’t know how else to deal with these women who were well past the pageant age.
The pageant had all the painful charms of a small-budget show where the “Flowers of Asia Dance” called for the girls to rearrange themselves in a line a couple of times from the front to the back of the stage. In the talent portion, one Japanese contestant screeched through her violin piece to “honor her country” by playing Western classical music. I would’ve stayed to watch more talent on display but after the third accidental screech from the speaker system, it was time to go.
The pageant had all the painful charms of a small-budget show where the “Flowers of Asia Dance” called for the girls to rearrange themselves in a line a couple of times from the front to the back of the stage. In the talent portion, one Japanese contestant screeched through her violin piece to “honor her country” by playing Western classical music. I would’ve stayed to watch more talent on display but after the third accidental screech from the speaker system, it was time to go.
Scott had already rushed off with his business partner Kurt to do some work at the antique show, followed by round one of a video shoot at the Cinco de Mayo block party. I was to reunite with them in the late afternoon at the Mint Museum Kentucky Derby party, which I did after a delicious two-hour nap.
The party was held at the Randolph location of the museum, which boasts an expansive manicured lawn perfect for the occasion. Booze and food tents were set up around the lawn, which was peopled by Charlotte’s attractive, young and trendy, with women in candy-colored sundresses and wide brimmed hats, and men with button-downs, shorts and bowler hats. It was a perfect image for the Derby.
I’ve often wondered why people are so enthusiastic about the Kentucky Derby, when no one cares about horse races any other time of the year. In New York, people don their dresses and hats, cram themselves in warehouse-like venues all day, sipping mint juleps and waiting for the two-minute race. I guess everyone loves an excuse to party, especially when a specialty cocktail and costumes are involved.
After the race, we returned to the Cinco de Mayo party, held on a private stretch of road in a condo/retail complex. A stage was set up and a cover band sang everything from U2 and Coldplay to Whitney Houston and Beyoncé. While Scott and Kurt continued shooting their video, I hung out by the band against the sexy backdrop of Best Buy, Staples, Target and Marshalls, sipping my margarita and eating “street” tacos from the nearby La Paz.
It was now too late and Scott too tired to contemplate going to the Strawberry Festival in South Carolina. Alas, Strawberry Jam – the free concert at the festival – would have to wait.
But it was not too late for Trader Joe’s, right next to the band, where we bought almond milk, yogurt and bananas.
Then we went to the movies.
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