On St. Paul’s West Side, a winter of fear gave way to celebration last weekend as thousands returned to the streets for the annual Cinco de Mayo parade and festival.

The celebration marks one of the first large Latino celebrations after months shaped by federal immigration enforcement. On the West Side, a hub for immigrant communities, residents’ and businesses’ routines were uprooted as families stayed home due to immigration enforcement.

But under a warm spring sun, Cesar Chavez Street was filled with families and friends moving between dozens of vendors selling elote, horchata and handmade goods. In the parking lot of restaurant El Burrito Mercado, attendees admired rows of polished, decked-out cars and motorcycles while musicians and dancers performed across the festival grounds.

The day began with a colorful parade featuring floats and performances, including traditional Aztec dancers. The event Saturday continues a tradition that has spanned more than 40 years on the West Side.

The festival’s future was uncertain this year, Bob Cruz said, president of the West Side Boosters, which organizes the celebration.

“During December, until like three weeks ago, there’s a lot of families that just weren’t going outside,” Cruz said. “We weren’t even having meetings to plan for Cinco because so many people were scared to come out.”

Despite the hesitancy, organizers ultimately moved forward with the event after talking with community members and vendors who advocated for holding the event as a show of unity. 

Among the vendors was Edvin Niz, who immigrated from Guatemala more than 20 years ago and now sells jade jewelry crafted in partnership with Mayan artisans. He has participated in the festival for three years and said the sense of community keeps him coming back.

“Everybody’s happy,” Niz said. “Everybody comes to the festival to enjoy themselves. So the energy that people bring is so nice.”

Organizers also reached out to Rebecca Moran Cusick, who has long led Los Alegres Bailadores, a multigenerational dance group performing folkloric dances from across Mexico that performs throughout the Twin Cities.

For decades, familiar faces have come to see the group perform. As the company has grown in both size and the number of dances it performs, so has the festival. 

During the winter, Cusick paused dance classes due to fear and safety concerns within the Latino community. After Cusick met with other instructors at the company, they decided it was important to return to the festival and dance despite remaining concerns. 

“We crossed our fingers, hoping that everyone would join us,” Cusick said.

The festival has grown over the years, and this year was no exception — with packed streets and steady crowds throughout the day. 

Nia Rivera, a festival attendee who grew up on the West Side, said the turnout felt especially meaningful this year.

“This year for sure is kind of like taking our stance back, making sure that we’re not afraid to be who we are,” Rivera said.

After a traumatic winter, the West Side remains strong, Cruz said. 

“The West Side is like no other,” Cruz said. “When we’re all together, we’re going to have a good time.”