Cinco de Mayo Fest Put Off Due to Swine Flu Epidemic

The Fifth of May Celebration in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and the Ranchera Music Festival, will just have to wait due to an increasing swineflu plague.

President of Casa Puebla and executive producer of the Cinco de Mayo Festival, Jaime Lucero, rescinded the occasion, where band Los Temerarios were to be the leading act at the event.

"We have decided for prudence," said Lucero. "We are not saying that the outbreak is something out of the ordinary, but given the circumstances it isbetter to have solidarity, as much with the community here as with Mexico."

According to New York Daily News, the Ranchera Music Festival, which would've been held Saturday at Our Lady of Pompeii in the West Village, was also suspended.

Jose Rojano, president of the Atheneum of Mexico and the Mexican Center of New York (the organizers of the music celebration), stated, "We have to be conscious of this situation. It's something sensitive."

In spite of health risk concerns, organizations such as the Tepeyac Association of New York and the Mexican Athletic Club of New York still planto participate in parades and in the Cinco de Mayo 5K run on Sunday and May 10. Brooklyn, Manhattan and Central Park West are potential hot spots for the commemoration.