Colorado News |

PHOTOS: 2024 Cinco de Mayo festival and parade in downtown Denver

Donna Vigil-Castaneda, with Grupo Tlaloc Danza Azteca, performs with other dancers during the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Ranay Sotelo, right, gets ready to perform with other members of Ballet Folklorico de Colores at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Marcus Sanchez, left, and his cousin Donny Sanchez, both 8, get ready to perform traditional Mexican dances with other members of Baila Conmigo International Dance Group while they take part in the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Dancers with Ballet Folklorico de Colores get ready to perform traditional Mexican dances at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Dancer Eli Perez, 9, performs with other Mexican dancers with Fiesta Colorado Dance Company perform at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Key Blanton poses for a photo taken by a friend in front of a 1964 Chevy Impala at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024.(Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Young Mexican dancers get ready to perform traditional Mexican dances at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Dancers with Ballet Folklorico de Colores perform traditional Mexican dances at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Steven Herrera, left, finishes his last taco to come in second place in the Taco Eating contest at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. Contestants had to eat 10 tacos in the shortest amount of time to win. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Dancers with Ballet Folklorico de Colores perform traditional Mexican dances at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Cassie Morales, center, gets ready to perform with other members of Ballet Folklorico de Colores at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Donna Vigil-Castaneda, left, and her husband Carlos Castaneda, right, are dressed to perform during the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Dancer Gael Hernandez, 8, gets ready to perform with other Mexican dancers at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Myamelody Moreno, 12, walks with her dog King who has his eyes covered with sunglasses while taking part in the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

People check out a 1980 Buick Regal parked along Colfax avenue at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. The annual festival and celebration is and helps put  the spotlight on The Mile High City’s vibrant Latino population. With more than 400,000 attendees expected, it’s one of Denver's most fun and family-friendly events. This year's festival featured live music and dance performances on three stages. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the outnumbered Mexican army over French forces, providing the momentum and national confidence for the Mexican people to drive the foreign power from their country. Today, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the tradition of freedom and acknowledges the beauty of Latino culture. Denver's Cinco de Mayo "Celebrate Culture" Festival  has been a Mile High tradition for more than three decades.  Three stages providing live entertainment over the weekend featured mariachi, salsa, norteño and many other genres of Latino music and dance. Other events during the festival include the annual Cinco de Mayo Community Parade, a taco-eating contest, lowrider car shows and the famous Chihuahua races. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Dances with Grupo Tlaloc Danza Azteca perform during the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Reece Benecomo, 8, shows off his face paint while attending the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Dances with Grupo Tlaloc Danza Azteca perform during the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

A young Mexican dancer with Fiesta Colorado Dance Company performs at the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park in Denver on May 5, 2024. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)