DOWNTOWN STREET FESTIVAL ATTRACTS ESTIMATED 500,000.Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer Wearing a sombrero som·bre·ro n. pl. som·bre·ros A large straw or felt hat with a broad brim and tall crown, worn especially in Mexico and the American Southwest. embroidered em·broi·der v. em·broi·dered, em·broi·der·ing, em·broi·ders v.tr. 1. To ornament with needlework: embroider a pillow cover. 2. with ``Viva Mexico,'' Jose Fernandez joined thousands of Southern Californians on Sunday at one of the largest Cinco de Mayo Cinco de Mayo (Spanish; “Fifth of May”) Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862. The French army, better-equipped and far larger than the Mexican army, had been sent by Napoleon III to conquer Mexico. celebrations in the nation. The 13th annual Fiesta Broadway, which kicked off the commemoration of Mexico's victory over French army at the Battle of Puebla Noun 1. Battle of Puebla - a battle in which Mexican forces defeated the French in 1862 Mexico, United Mexican States - a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810 in 1862, attracted an expected crowd of 500,000, organizers said. ``It's wonderful,'' said Fernandez, who brought his wife and two young sons to the event. ``It's fun. I like to mingle with my people. I like to see people laughing.'' ``To me Cinco de Mayo means liberty for all the Mexicans,'' said the Ontario resident. ``It means happiness.'' Food, drinks and music dominated 36 square blocks along Broadway between First and Eleventh streets in downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or . The event also offered games, rides and a children's play park. The free event was organized by All Access Entertainment. No serious problems were reported at the crowded fiesta, where Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. police were out in force. Also, security checked people at the entrances. ``In the last four years it has been really good,'' said Officer Jack Richter, a Los Angeles Police Department "LAPD" and "L.A.P.D." redirect here. For other uses, see LAPD (disambiguation).  This article or section is written like an . spokesman. ``They are not selling alcohol anymore. Now it's much more a family event. We don't have problems like we had in the past.'' Vendors pitched everything from alcohol-free margaritas to make-overs. ``I'm here for the entertainment,'' said Los Angeles resident Hecktor Serrano, 33, who planned to attend a concert by Alexjandra Guzman. Guzman, proclaimed Mexico's queen of rock, was chosen this year's queen for Fiesta Broadway. Other musical acts included Banda El Recodo Banda Sinaloense el Recodo de Don Cruz Lizárraga, often referred to as Banda el Recodo or simply La Banda Sinaloense (Spanish: "the Sinaloan Band") is one of the best-known Mexican banda groups. , Salsa queen Celia Cruz, Charlie Zaa, Alicia Villareal and Maribel Guardia. Although the event celebrated Cinco de Mayo, it attracted people from other Latin cultures such as Sylvia Duarte, who is Guatemalan. ``This draws people from all the countries,'' said the Alhambra resident, a first-timer at the fiesta. ``It's good to have it because it's a near event for people to go to. ``It's a family event for everybody, not just people who celebrate Cinco de Mayo.'' It was about Cynthia Quan's third time attending the fiesta. ``I have a good time when I come here,'' said the 32-year-old Los Angeles resident as she walked along a sidewalk flanking a line of vendors' booths. ``I think it's cool. There's a wonderful amount of people present.' CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Children dance to Mariachi Mexico during Sunday's Fiesta Broadway Cinco de Mayo celebration in downtown L.A. (2 -- color) Panflutist Luis Remache entertains the crowds Sunday during the Fiesta Broadway celebration in downtown Los Angeles. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
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