Editor’s note: This clip is from 2021

ST. LOUIS – Get your festive gears ready; Cinco de Mayo is returning to St. Louis on May 3.

Spearheaded by the Cherokee Street Foundation—a nonprofit group—this annual event looks to take over six blocks, expanding from Cherokee Street, then to Jefferson Avenue and Nebraska Avenue.

This festival, featuring 100 vendors and bringing over 50,000 attendees annually, was established 15 years ago, according to the event’s website.

Lucha Libre wrestling, food/beverage vendors and the opportunity to ride a mechanical bull are all attractions for visitors to enjoy at this year’s festival.

Individuals can also gather at the El Leñador parking lot at Cherokee and Michigan to partake in the annual People’s Parade.

“This festival has grown to be one of the largest and most diverse celebrations not only on Cherokee Street but in St. Louis and this year’s Cinco de Mayo festival is slated to be no different,” said John Joern, Cherokee Street CID Events Director.

One new thing this year for the festival is that there will be multiple “micro” stages. These mini stages aim to create a vibrant atmosphere for attendees.

Safety at the Cinco de Mayo event remains a priority, according to Joern.

“In preparation for the event, our team has been working closely with the City of St. Louis Office of Special Events and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to ensure the safety and security of all attendees,” he said.

For this event, visitors can also expect four Grand Entrances, which look to improve the traffic flow. These entrances are located at Jefferson Avenue on the east, Nebraska Avenue on the west and Iowa Avenue on the north and south of Cherokee Street.

“Historically, the Cinco de Mayo festival signified the largest sales day of the year for many of the street’s businesses. It means a lot for our district to be able to bring the event back to the community year after year,” Joern said.

The Cinco de Mayo Festival is free to attend, and it begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. 

More information about this event can be found here.