With screnading mariachis, colorful dancing and authentic Mexican food, a group of 200 Harvard students and community residents celebrated Cinco de Mayo on Wednesday at the Gutman Conference Center.

Traditional Mexican songs performed by a mariachi band and the aroma of genuine Mexican tacos wafted through the standing-room only crowd at the Harvard School of Education.

"Cinco de Mayo is always a happy occasion," said Valentina C. Hernandez, president of Harvard's Latino Cultural Association, which sponsored the festival. "Everybody was joyous--we had music, entertainment, food, and a pleasant atmosphere."

Some revelers said the celebration is a way of passing on tradition to the younger generation.

"It's a good way of keeping tradition and for the younger children to learn what Cinco de Mayo is all about," said Olga L. Karas, pointing to the throng of children intently watching the band and dances.

Others said they just like to enjoy the festivities as long as they can.

"I love it," said Williams. "I think they should do this more often."

Although most people believe Cinco de Mayo represents Mexico's independence day, the holiday signifies Mexico's struggle for freedom from foreign domination, said Edward M. Rodriguez, a resident of Los Angeles.

A six-member mariachi band, backed by guitars, trumpets and a violin quickly got celebrating students involved in the festivities.

The band serenaded selected members of the audience with "Volver, Volver"," a song in which a man asks his beloved to "return, return."

For some in the crowd, the song held the promise of returning to one's native land.

"It has an international appeal to return to your own country," said Karas, a Colombian native.

Josie Garza of San Antonio said she bonded with fellow festival participants.

"The music is wonderful and it feels like home," she said.

While the mariachi band gave the celebration a festive air, traditional dances displayed lively movement and expression from the performers.

"I'm very excited. It's one of the most incredible and fulfilling experiences I've had," said Tino Cuellar '93, a member of Theatro Latino Estudiantil which put on the traditional Mexican dances known as Ballet Folklorico de Aztlan.