Cherokee Street gears up for Cinco de Mayo weekend as other cities pull back
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Businesses in south St. Louis are preparing for large crowds this weekend as Cherokee Street moves forward with its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Organizers expect between 30,000 and 40,000 people to attend Saturday’s festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. A parade will kick off at 1:11 p.m., traveling down Cherokee and Utah streets and moving through the festival area on Texas Avenue.
Attractions include two grand stages with live music and entertainment, a family fun zone, a mechanical bull and Lucha Libre wrestling.
The hangout spot “Cherokee Beach” is also making a comeback.
“Crowds get bigger and bigger every year, and as long as the weather holds, we expect the same this year,” said John Joern with the Cherokee Street Foundation.
The event is expected to bring an economic boost to local businesses.
“It’s exciting, seeing all the people,” said Maria Price, who works at Lilly’s Panaderia.
At Diana’s Bakery, staff are increasing production in anticipation of the crowds.
“We try to be prepared, but usually we double our recipes,” said Andres Tabima, who has worked at the bakery for eight years. “Probably about two weeks of prepping, getting everything here ready.”
The St. Louis event comes as some other cities scale back their Cinco de Mayo plans. In Chicago, organizers canceled the city’s parade, citing concerns about immigration enforcement under the Trump istration.
Joern said similar conversations have taken place in St. Louis, but organizers decided to continue with the event.
“We started having these conversations back in January when the new istration took office,” Joern said.
“The concern is certainly there,” he said. “But we feel it’s important to continue the festival and our Hispanic and Latino community.”
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department says safety at such events is always a top priority, and they are prepared for the crowds.
“This is an event that’s significantly grown over the years,” said spokesperson Mitch McCoy. “We’ve reevaluated the security perimeter of the festival and worked to ensure it’s stronger.”
Tabima said he hopes the event remains safe and open to everyone.
“I feel like it should be a safe place for everyone to come out,” he said.
Find more details on the festival’s offerings by clicking here.
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