80,000 MARK CINCO DE MAYO : SWIRL OF EVENTS CELEBRATE VICTORY, SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

Byline: Susan Goldsmith and Terri Hardy Daily News Staff Writers

More than 80,000 Angelenos marked Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, celebrating Mexico's military victory over France by indulging in cultural festivities, refreshments and mariachi music.

Events included a party at San Fernando High School, combining Cinco de Mayo with the school's 100th anniversary.

Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, marks Mexico's defeat of the well-armed French troops in 1862. Although some revelers Sunday were thinking about the significance of the historic battle, others focused on celebrating their Latino heritage and seeing old friends.

``What the Mexicans did when they fought and (beat) the French is an inspiration to everybody,'' said Frank Colon, a Chicano studies major at Cal State Northridge who served as a volunteer at the San Fernando High School party.

Alice Martinez turned out for the school's outdoor party, primarily to show support for her old alma matter.

``I have very fond memories of this place,'' Martinez said after buying a snow cone from students and parents selling food to raise money for the school. ``I can't believe it's lasted 100 years.''

But Martinez attended also to keep her heritage alive.

``My grandparents immigrated to this country from Mexico, and I never want to forget my roots,'' she said. ``Cinco de Mayo is part of my culture.''

The festival on the high school's football field featured mariachi music, an Aztec dance group, games and food.

Students who were selling nachos, snow cones and lemonade to raise money for their student government program said they gave up their Sunday to show their love for their Latino roots and their school.

``This is an awesome high school,'' said 16-year-old sophomore Erica Ortiz. ``This is the best high school in the Valley, and the spirit and enthusiasm for this place really shows through.''

Although festival turnout was thin, Jon Mehjuga was happy to be back on the grounds of his old school.

``I thought this party was a good reason to come back here and check this place out,'' said Mehjuga, who graduated in 1970. ``This is the first time I've been back here since 1971.''

More than 600 Cinco de Mayo revelers flocked to the Guadalupe Community Center in Canoga Park for a day of music, dancing and food. Proceeds will benefit several community programs, said center director Margaret Pontius.

``The food is delicious and we're selling it like crazy. Snow cones and lemonade are going fast because it's so hot,'' she said.

The nonprofit center, a division of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, provides food and clothing to needy clients and runs sports programs for children.

In San Fernando, local bands entertained the crowd with fast-moving ``banda'' music at Sam's Club on Foothill Boulevard.

Organizers took the opportunity to hold a bone marrow drive, sponsored by the Latino Marrow Donor Program in San Francisco.

``We're having fun and helping a worthy cause,'' said Marylou Steinfeld, business development manager for Sam's Club. ``It's a real community event.''

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Mercy Chavarria, left, and Blanca Villarreal s can old photos from San Fernando High School's 100-year history.

(2) Fourteen-year-old Diana Contreras, left, and 16-year-old Silvia Macias of San Fernando Folklorico dance at the high school celebration.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News