Here’s a fun fact: Although many people mistakenly believe Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “fifth of May”) celebrates Mexican independence day, the holiday actually commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Here’s another, somewhat less fun fact: every Cinco de Mayo, thousands of people across the US are arrested for drunk driving.

In Denver, law enforcement officials are planning extra patrols and DUI checkpoints to crack down on intoxicated driving during Cinco de Mayo. Cops will be out on the roads in full force, searching for drunk drivers. If you want to avoid a DUI this Cinco de Mayo, do not get behind the wheel after drinking a few too many margaritas.

Happily, there are plenty of alcohol-free activities, festivals, and special events happing in and around Denver to honor Cinco de Mayo.  Denver is renowned nationwide for hosting some of the most colorful, family-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the country. Below, we’ve listed five of the best ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Denver—sans alcohol.

Attend Denver’s 28^th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival. From origins as a local street fair in 1987, Denver’s Cinco de Mayo festival has grown into the largest Cinco de Mayo festival in the US. This year, the festival will showcase live Latino music and dance performances on three stages, as well as Mexican culinary treats from local purveyors. The festival will also feature a salsa cooking competition, a taco eating contest, and Chihuahua races. The festival will run on May 2^nd and 3^rd.

Watch the Cinco de Mayo Parade. On May 2^nd, Denver’s Cinco de Mayo Parade will kick off the Cinco de Mayo festival. Colorful floats and vehicles will parade through the streets of downtown Denver, displaying mariachis, Folkorico dancers, and other local artists and organizations.

Taste Mexican cuisine at one of Denver’s many award-winning restaurants. Denver boasts some of the best Mexican restaurants in the country, offering everything from traditional dishes to innovative Mexican-inspired creations. Dig into a plate of rellenos with a side of their renowned spicy green chili at La Loma Restaurant, or try a fresh puffy sopapilla at El Jardin. At Casa Bonita, you can dine on classic Mexican dishes while enjoying stage shows, live music, and cliff diving performances.

Check out the Frida Kahlo Aguas Frescas Stand and Bodega del Botón. Fresh City Life will be hosting a stand outside the Denver Central Library on Sunday, May 2^nd. The stand will serve free agua frescas—traditional Mexican beverages made with fruit juice and fresh fruit. The stand will also feature a button maker for creating Cinco de Mayo buttons and magnets.

Visit the Museo de las Americas. Dedicated to celebrating the diverse Latino Americano arts and culture, the Museo de las Americas exhibits both contemporary and traditional pieces. The museum houses a permanent collection of over 3,500 objects from across the Americas, including pre-Colombian artifacts, Spanish colonial artifacts, and folk and contemporary art.

With so many lively and unique alcohol-free activities and events in Denver this Cinco de Mayo, there is absolutely no reason to drink to excess and get behind the wheel. But if you do find yourself in trouble with the law for drinking and driving on Cinco de Mayo, contact a Denver DUI attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help defend your rights against overzealous police officers, who in their haste to catch DUI offenders on Cinco de Mayo may make unlawful stops, searches, and arrests. With the help of an experienced Colorado lawyer, you can avoid an unfair DUI conviction.

About the Author:

Kimberly Diego is a criminal defense attorney in Denver practicing at The Law Office of Kimberly Diego. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and her law degree at the University of Colorado. She was named one of Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars of 2012” and “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Colorado” for 2012 and 2013 by The National Trial Lawyers. Both honors are limited to a small percentage of practicing attorneys in each state.  She has also been recognized for her work in domestic violence cases.