Excerpt:  Thousands lined West Vernor Highway between Patton Park and Clark Park on Sunday as the air was filled with the smells of exotic foods and sounds during the annual Cinco de Mayo festival parade.

The day commemorates a May 5, 1862, battle with the French Army over a Mexican-held fort (Mexico held on), and recognizes those who fight against oppression… The parade was filled with red, white and green decorated floats, costumed dancers and oldsters and school kids alike shouting “Viva!” to the crowd, as they pitched wrapped candy, brightly colored beads and toys, even maracas, to outstretched hands. Joyous mariachi music blasted from speakers everywhere.

There were also the low-riders — those classic cars outfitted with extraordinary hydraulics and unique paint jobs — parked on the grass at Clark Park, a few feet from the parade.

“You have to love low-riding to do this,” said Alex Vargas, 35, of Detroit lovingly polishing his teal-blue 1959 Chevrolet Impala, license plate “Aztec1,” poised with one side listing in the air. “It’s not just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.”