Oct. 1, 2014

Luis Solis | Photo Editor

The Riverside Mariachi Festival grew to be one of the biggest mariachi festivals in Southern California among mariachi music fans since it started in 2005.

The festival held in Fairmount Park every year features well known bands throughout Mexico such as Mariachi Monumental, Mariachi Espectacular de Beto Jimenez and Grammy Award winners Mariachi Divas.

The mariachi festival gives people an opportunity to celebrate and embrace Mexican culture through music, art and dance.

San Manuel Bands of Mission Indians and Studio 33 sponsored the mariachi festival and made it possible for audiences to enjoy the Mariachi bands and Mexican ballet groups.

Attendees had the chance to listen to traditional music, watch the folklorico dance contest and eat cultural food from vendors.

People viewed the art gallery, which had artwork from people of the community.

The festival lasted the whole day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 19-20 and music could be heard all-around Fairmount Park attracting onlookers to the event.