Cinco de mucho culture
From traditional Mexican attire and Mariachi music to colorful low-riders and helpful nonprofits, annual fest had lots to celebrate
Men, women and children dressed in traditional-Mexican attire proudly paraded through downtown Denver on Saturday as dozens of bright and intricately painted low-riders bobbed up and down and side to side, blaring hip-hop and Spanish-language music through the streets.
The parade opened theweekend-long Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center park to celebrate Mexican culture.
“It feels good to get the chance to share my culture for two days,” said Jacqueline Mendoza, a dancer for Fiesta Colorado .“My mom is Mexican- American and my dad is actually from Mexico, and he didn’t share too much traditional Mexican culture with me, so I learned each time I went to dance.”
Mendoza, who performed during the festival, said she has been dancing since she was 5. She now knows the stories behind each traditional number.
Some men in the parade wore traditional charro clothing — a sombrero with a tan, black or brown suit decorated with gold accents — and rode horses that trotted and danced.
Other float participants, including Diaranka Martinez of la Invasora 87.7 FM, held their fists in the air, symbolizing solidarity and resistance.
“It’s Mexican pride,” she said.“We are here and we absolutely need to be unified.”
Martinez referred to the country’s current political climate and mentioned President Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall between Mexico and the United States. She said she thinks it is important now more than ever for people to come together, especially Latinos.
“This isn’t going to separate us,” she said. “Mexicans are strong, and we work as hard as we can and we want to make the U.S.A. better.”
Some celebrated Cinco de Mayo by dancing to the Mariachi music that played at the main Greek Amphitheater
at Civic Center while onlookers clapped along. A free Zumba dance fitness class was offered early Saturday, and other local talent, including the funk group Chilli Willi, entertained at the Great Lawn, off Bannock Street.
Servicios de la Raza — a nonprofit that provides low-income and Spanish-speaking communities with access to legal services, mental and physical health care, victim assistance and more — had a booth at the festival. LizbethCampuzano, a victims advocate at Servicios de la Raza, said a number of people told her that they have experienced violence because of their identity but did not know what to do.
“They’re afraid and they don’t know if they should report it to the police because some are undocumented, and they don’t know if they will be safe,” she said. “People of color have a hard time accessing legal services especially, and when there is a language barrier where they don’t speak English, that can be really difficult. Everyone has rights, even if they’re being deported.”
Mi Familia Vota, another nonprofit at the event, tries to help Latinos get involved in local issues and register to vote. Director Carla Castedo said she has noticed thatmany peoplewere at theCinco deMayo celebration to show support of Latinos and immigrants living in theU.S. illegally.
“Tons of people have also come up to us and said that they have been volunteering and are trying to get others registered to vote,” she said. “There are a lot more allies this year. They’re here in solidarity and to say that Colorado will not stand for the hateful rhetoric we have been hearing lately.”
Hayley Sanchez: 303-954-1296, hsanchez@denverpost.com or @heyyhayhayley