Cinco de Mayo 2012 | Festival and meat piñata

pig piñata

Photo: courtesy of Smoke Daddy

Corona and Dos Equis specials, while tempting, are not all the Midwest has to offer for Cinco De Mayo. How about a barbecue shower? 

Smoke Daddy’s BBQ Piñata Punishment celebrates the Mexican army’s unlikely 1862 victory with its own unlikely combination. Instead of toys and candy, a papier-mâché container is filled with slow-cooked meat. One lucky person gets the opportunity to pulverize the piñata—although, thankfully, no one's forced to eat the splattered meat, and ponchos are recommended for the piñata buster and brave front-seat spectators alike. Smoke Daddy created this one-of-a-kind spectacle to honor Mexican history in a way only a BBQ joint can. More sensible partiers have the opportunity to beat traditional candy-filled piñatas. BBQ enchiladas ($6) commemorate the day's hunt. Smoke Daddy, 1804 W Division St (773-772-6656, thesmokedaddy.com). May 5 at 5pm; free. 

Those looking to dodge the rain of meat can expand their May 5 celebration from one to three days at the Cinco de Mayo Festival. The Little Village neighborhood will showcase Mexican-American culture with music, food, arts and crafts, and family activities. W 26th St and Kostner Ave (773-868-3010, chicagoevents.com). May 4, 6–11pm; May 5­ and 6, 2–11pm; free.