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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Finishing touches are underway for the return of Houston’s biggest Cinco de Mayo celebration this weekend.
Dozens of colorful vehicles and floats will hit the streets Saturday for the LULAC District 8 Cinco de Mayo Parade in Downtown Houston.
The parade will step off at 10 a.m. Saturday, starting at Texas at Hamilton near Minute Maid Park.
Eyewitness News anchor Mayra Moreno will emcee this year’s parade, which will also feature appearances by anchors Erik Barajas and Rita Garcia.
Drivers can find $5 cash-only parking at Minute Maid Parking Lot C, located at 2208 Preston St.
Houston Astros legend and Texas Sports Hall of Fame inductee Jose Cruz will join Mayor Sylvester Turner as this year’s parade co-grand marshals.
The Puerto Rican-born outfielder gained a following when he donned the Astros’ jersey from 1970 to 1988. He also spent several years as a first base coach.
Houston’s diversity reflects spirit of Cinco de Mayo
Organizers said Houston hasn’t seen a Cinco de Mayo parade since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In that time, the city – and our Hispanic and Latin communities – have grown.
“The Hispanic community is vibrant, and is growing by leaps and bounds each and every year,” Al Maldonado said. “We’re now like 45% of the population, and we want to be able to express our heritage and culture to the rest of the city at large.”
This year’s celebration will feature more than 100 parade entries, highlighting the culture and music of Mexico and other Latin communities.
“You do not have to be a Latino to come out to a parade and enjoy it,” parade chair Mary Ramos added.
“They don’t have to be Mexican. They don’t have to be Honduran. They don’t have… we are everything. We’re Puerto Rican, we’re Mexican, we’re Hondurans. We’re Guatemalans. We’re all Latinos, and we need to make sure everybody knows we’re Latinos and we’re together.”
Cinco de Mayo marks the date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.