Venice’s very own marching band and MEChA club will participate in the Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade on Saturday, May 6.

The Pico Youth & Family Center will host the parade and festival. The parade will start at 10 a.m. on Lincoln Boulevard and California Avenue, run along on Lincoln to Rose and end at the Penmar Park. Mariachi bands, Mayaztek Band, singer Flor Del Rio, and musician Jesse G. Govea will perform at the festival.

The parade will feature Westside Originals classic cars cruising on the streets. Macias Folklorico and Ketzaklitli Aztec dancers will also march in the parade, along with many other organizations.

The festival at Penmar Park will feature many authentic Mexican food vendors, pinatas, prizes, raffles, face painting, and arts and crafts.

Venice High’s senior Mary Carmen Nieto will participate in the festival’s queen contest.

The Venice Cinco de Mayo parade was a historic event but had been cancelled for a while and finally was brought back last year. This event will celebrate the returning event, Mexican-American heritage and the diversity of Venice.

Colleges like Santa Monica Community College and UCLA have sponsored the parade and festival. The event is also endorsed by the president of  LAUSD board, Steve Zimmer, who is hoping to be re-elected May 16 and Councilmember Mike Bonin’s Office.