Spice up your Cinco de Mayo festivities

Each year, Cinco de Mayo festivities take center stage in town squares across Mexico. But you don't have to be south of the border to join in the fun. Follow the lead of area restaurants and consider throwing a little fiesta of your own.

Traditional Cinco de Mayo gatherings are abuzz with music, laughter and vibrant colors -- and of course, no Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without great food. To lessen the stress of party planning, be on the lookout for easy ways to add the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine to your party fare. Chipotle Cheddar cheese is the perfect ingredient to add a little kick to your recipes with a smoky twist on a familiar flavor.

Corporate chef for Sargento Foods Inc., Guy Beardsmore, offers a tip for making your Cinco de Mayo celebration a hit with your guests.

"Keep it simple when you're entertaining," Beardsmore said. "For Cinco de Mayo celebrations, something like a build-your-own taco bar is a really easy way to serve up something fun that your guests can enjoy."

As the big day nears, keep an eye out for fun and creative ways to enliven your fiesta. Add to the enjoyment with a few of these tips for bringing the warmth and spirit of Mexico to your get-together:

1. Prepare a fun mix of salsa music to play in the background

2. Use red, white and green decor to celebrate the colors of Mexico

3. Create a fun-filled pi