The rain this morning won’t stop the 22nd annual Cinco de Mayo “Celebrate Culture” festival which continues today in Civic Center.
Over the two-day festival more than a dozen bands will play music on three stages; about 350 exhibitors and food vendors are scheduled to anchor the festival, organized by NEWSED Community Development Corp. and the Santa Fe Drive Redevelopment organization. A children’s carnival and a green chili cook-off are among the offerings.
The festival continuess from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Traffic around Civic Center will be heavy.
To appease swine flu concerns, organizers have placed voluntary hand-sanitizing stations at festival entrances. Sanitizing stations will also be placed at restrooms, as in years past.
“This is in response to media attention, and that’s it,” said spokeswoman Andrea Barela. “Attending this event this year is as safe as any other year.”
Police expect traditional cruising in Denver, especially along Federal Boulevard, and traffic plans have been put in place.
As in years past, if traffic on Federal becomes a safety issue, the flow across the boulevard will be limited to allow traffic to thin out and to minimize impact on area neighborhoods.
If needed, east and west traffic across Federal will be restricted to Evans, Jewell, Florida, Mississippi, Alameda, Sixth, 10th, 23rd, 38th, 46th and 50th avenues, Speer Boulevard and Interstate 70.
Traffic could also be directed off Federal Boulevard at certain points and on to various “diversion routes,” police said. Traffic violations that pose a safety risk will be strictly enforced, police warn. Access to side streets will be limited to neighborhood residents once barricades are in place.
