National City will celebrate Cinco de Mayo as it should be: With mariachi music and without a drop of alcohol.

The 11th Annual National City Cinco de Mayo Mariachi Festival and Competition will be on Saturday, April 27th, at Pepper Park. The main attraction of the free event: The first mariachi competition, where 10 bands from both sides of the border will show who is the best to sing rancheras.

“This is the first time that the festival will include a mariachi competition,” said Lucy Roberts, executive director at HMC Advertising, a public relations agency that’s co-sponsoring the event. “This is a great opportunity for students to show their talent, because promoting the rich culture that our future generations will learn about through mariachi music has no comparison.”

Other things that will be present in this traditional Cinco de Mayo festival: ballet folklorico, low-rider exhibition, children’s activities, and, of course, plenty of Mexican food.

“Mariachi is a great part of Mexican culture we want to promote,” said Jacqueline Reynoso, president of the National City Chamber of Commerce, which is also co-sponsoring the event. “This is one of the main expressions of Latino culture.”

Something you won’t find at the festival are alcoholic beverages, because organizers are trying to change the stereotype that Cinco de Mayo is equal to drinking.

“This is a unique family event that celebrates our community and offers the public an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Cinco de Mayo, from its roots to contemporary examples of Mexican culture,” said National City Deputy Mayor Luis Natividad.

To facilitate access to the event, visitors will be able to use the trolley to the 24th St. station, where there will be a free shuttle to the festival from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The 11th Annual National City Cinco de Mayo Mariachi Festival and Competition will be on Saturday, April 27th, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pepper Park, 3299 Tidelands Ave. Entrance is free. More information at www.mariachifest.com