METHUEN — Dressed in silver-studded charo outfits with wide-brimmed hats, they came in playing the trumpet, 5-string guitars and bass guitars.
"Viva Mexico" and "Arriba Mexico" were heard over the applause and cheers as the mariachis strolled around Mi Mexico Lindo restaurant.
For the first time in Hispanic Week's 30-year history, Mexicans celebrated a night of their own yesterday.
"My goal was to get together with our fellow Latin Americans and share our costumes and our food," said Francisco Villalba, the restaurant's owner and sponsor of the event.
Although the majority of Hispanics who live in the area are from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, the Mexican population is growing.
In 2000, during the last U.S. Census, there were 316 Mexicans living in Lawrence; 340 in Haverhill; 70 in Methuen; 65 in Andover and 52 in North Andover. Salem, N.H., reported 45 Mexicans at that time.
Juan Ortega of Haverhill, who has lived in the United States since 1969, said he is seeing more of his compatriots attend local soccer games.
"Having more of them helps form a community," said Ortega, a real estate agent with McLennan and Co.
As he looked through the huge crowd, Villalba said he was not disappointed.
It was standing room only at the restaurant, decorated with green, red and white balloons representing the colors of Mexico's flag.
In the crowd were people from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Venezuela who attended to learn more about Mexico. They savored enchiladas with mole sauce and munched on chips and salsa.
"Since it is the first, I wanted to show my support," said Virginia Garcia, who attended with her daughter, Michelle, named Miss Colombia. "They are very attentive, and you can sense the warmth as they make you feel welcome."
Manny Reynoso, a teacher at the Guilmette School, also came to support the event and teach his sons, Dante, 2, and Mikhail, 4, about another culture.
"I think it's great that each year that Hispanic Week goes on another country joins," said Reynoso, who is Dominican.
"It shows we're growing, and it's important for my kids to learn the richness of the different cultures."
Celebrating Mexico's culture through music and food and history makes festival founder Isabel Melendez happy. "That was the idea behind the festival — to unite all the cultures so we can learn more about each other," Melendez said. "I hope other groups follow their example."
Melendez, director of the Spanish program for the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, is not surprised there are more Mexicans coming to the city.
"Lawrence is a community that attracts people because we welcome them in their own language, and they can share with others and they feel secure."
List of other heritage celebrations this week:
Tonight
Ecuadorian Night, 6 p.m., 123 Chestnut St.
Colombian Night, 7 p.m., Cambridge College, 60 Island St.
Tomorrow
Salvadorian night, 6 p.m., Galaxia Nightclub, 9 Appleton St.
Wednesday
Dominican night, 6 p.m., Pemberton Park, North Canal Street
Thursday
Puerto Rican Night, 6 p.m., Pemberton Park, North Canal Street
Friday and Saturday
Carnival at Campagnone Common, between Common and Haverhill streets.
June 22
Hispanic Week parade, begins at noon starting at the Central Catholic High School parking lot, continuing along Marion Avenue and ending at the Common. Grand marshals are Pat Costa, CEO of Costa-Eagle Radio, and Gladys Mencia, manager of the Sovereign Bank branch on Broadway.
