All photos by Chloe Trieff

The third of May, 2025, was an eventful Saturday in Peekskill, with no fewer than three significant gatherings blanketing the cityscape.

Cinco de Mayo
With North Division Street dressed in green, white and red, Cinco de Mayo celebrants were out in force as music, dance, pinatas and traditional food epitomized the richness of Mexican culture. Contrary to popular belief, the 5th of May does not symbolize the nation’s independence nor is it a national holiday in Mexico. The date marks an 1862 battle when the Mexican army vanquished powerful French forces, giving rise to Cinco de Mayo as a celebration of cultural pride and resilience.

Peekskill Rotary Cherry Blossom Festival
Meanwhile, down by the river, there was more live music, along with arts and crafts vendors and all sorts of family fun, as the venerable Rotary Club of Peekskill hosted its spectacular eighth annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The colorful event raises critical funds for the Club’s numerous academic awards and civic projects. There also was plant sales, food trucks, children’s activities, and a fair featuring artisanal and gastronomic offerings.

The Rotary Club supports educational projects and annually awards 15 scholarships to students from Peekskill, Hendrick Hudson, and Walter Panas high schools. The club also finances summer camps, leadership programs, and vocational education for young people. This year, the Oakside Elementary School in Peekskill received a grant to reopen a greenhouse, and the high school is building a recording studio.

‘May Day’ Rally
Back in the center of town, there was a political protest billed as a “May Day Strong Rally — Primero de Mayo Fuerte Reunion!” Rhetoric describing the event declared, “Working people rise up in Congressional district 17 with labor and community voices and say honor our workers and please, tax the wealthy fairly.”

The rally was sponsored by Make the Road Action, Putnam and Peekskill Progressives, Oxfam, New York Communities Change, and Indivisible of Yorktown, Ossining and Croton. Lending their support to the protesters were state Sen. Peter Harckham and state Assembly member Dana Levenberg, both Democrats. According to USA Today, “[May Day] protests against what organizers called a ‘billionaire takeover’ were planned in every U.S. state.”