That Cinco de Mayo is not Independence Day here in Mexico, it is the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, on the same importance level of Flag Day in the US... the only folks getting crazy are the gabachos in Carlos and Charlies screaming "Cinco de Mayo, man"
The Corona (Mexico's Pabst Blue Ribbon) beer company has a great marketing company who created this holiday to sell beer
The Mexican Indepedence Day is a lot of fun - called "el grito" - Sept. 15th - when a huge party is organized at the Palacio Municipal, kind of like the set up that we have for Carnaval and at midnight, people all accross Mexico scream (gritar) "VIVA MEXICO"....not a lot of visitors here off-season, so it is mainly enjoyed by the locals... too bad in my opinion because it is a lot of fun.