In addition to tons of tacos, tamales and tortas, the Cinco de Mayo festival in Civic Center park also offered burritos, ceviche, chorizo on a stick and rolling paleterias.
Also found were such tasty treats as turkey legs, funnel cakes, corn dogs, pizza, pretzels, cotton candy, barbecue ribs, Hawaiian shaved ice and Hungarian country crepes.
From the smells of it, a good meal was had by all.
Tens of thousands of celebrants – most, but certainly not all, Hispanic – packed the park Sunday, the last day of the annual celebration of a victory of Mexican soldiers and peasants over a French army at the city of Puebla in 1862.
The Denver Cinco de Mayo festival bills itself as one of the largest in the United States.
According to police, this year’s celebration has “gone smoothly,” even with the “cruising” along Federal Boulevard that in some past years has resulted in violence.
“I haven’t heard of any major incidents,” said police spokesman Sonny Jackson. “People cruised for awhile, then stopped at a reasonable time.
“It’s gone pretty well.”
Jackson said 91 people were arrested, and 236 citations were issued for moving violations in connection with the cruising along Federal.
The arrests of 78 adults and 13 juveniles were all for minor infractions, mostly noise complaints, he said.
Stephen Nash of CopWatch, which monitored activity along Federal, where the cruising takes place from West Evans Avenue to West 52nd Avenue, agreed.
“The event proceeded smoothly throughout the evening. However there was a noticeable increase in police activity on Saturday night,” Nash said.
CopWatch reported seeing a number of arrests, car impoundments and citations, but knows of no violence, Nash said in a press release.
Sunday afternoon, balmy weather made the festival all the more enjoyable. The temperature officially topped out at 68 at Denver International Airport, and the mariachi music was carried on a pleasant breeze.
Arturo Pulido and Justina Bazani brought their children, April, 7, and Javier, 6, to the cultural celebration.
“To me, it’s going back to my heritage,” Bazani said. “It helps me show something to my kids about where we’re from.”
Rocio Trujillo brought her children Carlos, 13, Giovanni, 9, and Alondra, 6, down from Greeley to take part.
“It’s just like we’re from Mexico and we’ll celebrate,” said Carlos, speaking for the family. His mother doesn’t speak English.
“We’re just walking around,” he said. “We’ve seen some good stuff.”
Staff writer Jim Kirksey can be reached at 303-820-1448 or jkirksey@denverpost.com.
