Spectators watch as a street performer lights up the night with fire during the block party to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month last Friday night on N Street in downtown Merced.
Times Photo by Andrew Hardy – Gorgeous classic cars lined the street at the event.
Times Photo by Andrew Hardy – Third Hour Collective members set the tone for the event.
Times Photo by Andrew Hardy – Community members hold up the Mexican flag while enjoying the festivities.
Hundreds of Mercedians flooded N St. outside of the Tioga-Sequoia Taproom this past Friday to celebrate local Hispanic Heritage thanks to the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The crowds were full of energy throughout the evening as attendees were able to enjoy a killer lineup of classic cars, a variety of specialty drinks, a riveting street performance from Ryan Villarreal, and a myriad of local vendors — all while listening to music mixed by the Third Hour Collective as well as DJ T.A.G.
The streets only got more packed and full of energy as the night went on.
One Mercedian named Dan, who brought out his family for the event, said the block party was, “A great time. It’s always nice to be able to go out as a family for things like this. I really hope that events like this keep coming to downtown.”
Another happy attendee said the following: “I love what the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is doing. Events like this are exactly what Merced need.”