Smells of fresh Mexican food filled the air on the third floor of the Los Medanos College College Complex. Mexican themed decals hung from light poles, along with streamers in the colors of Mexico’s flag twirling down them.

There were a few tables set up for students and faculty members to sit at and eat their fresh cooked tamales and enchiladas at the Cinco de Mayo celebration, put forth by both sClub Leo and Healing Hearts, while they listened to the Mexican music blaring from two large speakers

There were children from the LMC daycare making maracas and a piñata was available for anyone who wanted to take a swing at it.

Ariel Miller, who’s in charge of fundraising for Club Leo, said she “thought it’d be fun to hold an event that celebrated Mexican independence.”

Miller also said half of the money they raised from selling tamales and enchiladas will go to helping Hearts Heal, while the other half will go to funding Club Leo.

They are “trying to build a scholarship for active participants of our club,” explained Miller.

The event exceeded expectations as far as attendance was concerned, said Miller, who predicted that there would probably no more than 100 people present — half way though, the event already boasted more than 300 attendees.

This was the first Cinco de Mayo celebration put on by Helping Hearts Heal and Club Leo, and it is still up in the air whether or not it will be back next year. So here’s to hoping we’re not saying adios to the Cinco de Mayo event anytime soon.