After a two year COVID hiatus, Longmont is celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Roosevelt Park once again.
The 19th annual event takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Roosevelt Park, with a return of everyone’s favorite events. Louie Lopez and Mary Vigil co-chaired the event planning this year.
“Everybody’s so excited too because 2019 was the last that we had it,” Lopez said. “It looks like the weather is going to be really nice, getting everybody out into the sun again and having a good day. We’re looking forward to it.”
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Longmont’s holiday event celebrates culture and honors the health of the community, with more than 7,000 attendees expected for its post-pandemic revamp.
“I think it’s an outlet for the community to celebrate culture, diversity — a focus on health,” Lopez said. “Really celebrate the education around coming together.”
There will be live music, food vendors, family-friendly activities and booths hosted by local nonprofits and organizations to share information about services available to the community.
“There’s a lot of buzz going on,” Lopez said. “I think we’ve had more vendors participating this year, so it’s growing. I’m really excited. Cinco’s back.”
This year also features the return of the popular car show and third annual break dance contest, “The Mexican Standoff,” hosted by BreakEFX with cash prizes. DJ SoulRane will provide the tunes and out of state judges will decide the winners for the break dancing competition.
The event is family-friendly, with no drugs, tobacco or alcohol permitted. It’s also committed to becoming a zero waste event, so bringing a refillable water bottle is recommended.
“We really look at celebrating diversity, bringing more knowledge to the Latino community and support to the Latino community here in Longmont to educate and share each other’s differences,” Lopez said.
For more information, go to LongmontCincoDeMayo.com.
