Fiesta Broadway Expected to Attract Crowd of 300,000

The largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the nation is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors Sunday.

The ninth annual AT&T; Fiesta Broadway Cinco de Mayo will feature more than 3,000 feet of papel picado--handcrafted tissue paper designs from Guadalajara, Mexico, that will drape several of the streets in the downtown area.

Entertainment will be presented on six concert stages. Performers will include recording artist and film performer Chayanne, Banda Arkangel R-15 and more than 40 other acts, including mariachis, ballet folkloricos and ranchero bands.

Three theme parks will be set up--a “Los Angeles Circus” featuring acrobats, aerialists and jugglers; a “Unidos y Sanos” health expo offering a variety of free health services, and a World Cup sports center featuring matches at a miniature soccer field and bouts in a boxing ring.

Food, pinatas, games and entertainment booths will be set up throughout the area. Activities will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m.

Vehicular traffic in the 35-block fiesta zone will be prohibited from 9 tonight until 5 a.m. Monday. The zone is bounded roughly by Main Street on the east, Hill and Olive streets on the west, 11th street on the south and Temple Street on the north.