Partying in the Streets : Festivals: Quarter-million people attend Fiesta Broadway. The annual event celebrates Los Angeles’ Latino heritage.

Krikor Axarlian had never had time to attend Fiesta Broadway, but on Sunday the Argentine businessman was among the estimated quarter-million people who turned out for the downtown street party celebrating Los Angeles’ Latino heritage.

“This is a chance to forget the tragedy of last year and to be happy,” said Axarlian, who is also treasurer of Union de Comerciantes Latinos y Afiliados, a business organization founded to help Latino merchants who suffered losses in the 1992 riots.

The fiesta, which featured about 100 Latino performers, including Willie Colon and comedian Paul Rodriguez, was spread over 36 blocks, encompassing Broadway, Hill and Spring streets from Temple Street to Olympic Boulevard.

“I think it’s only fitting that at least one day of the year we spend on recognizing the Hispanicness of L.A.” said Rodriguez. “After all, people forget Los Angeles is not a Scandinavian name.” Carrying umbrellas, video cameras and binoculars, the crowds jammed Broadway, crowding around stages to hear performers such as Puerto Rican pop singer Marc Anthony.

“This is really nice because it brings everyone together,” said Juango Iglesias, 34, of La Canada as he videotaped Anthony’s performance. “I’m originally from Cuba and it’s nice to see all this variety of Latino culture.”

While many stood in line to get corn, pan dulce and free gifts, others sat and took in the the party-like atmosphere.

“I’ve never been to the fiesta before,” said Ron Paige, a city sanitation worker. “I guess this is a well-kept secret, but I really like the diversity of it and the music.”

Traffic was snarled throughout downtown as streets were closed. Some, such as Javier and Alicia Solorzano, found alternate routes by cycling to the festival from El Monte.

“I used to spend more time around downtown about eight years ago, and there were Latinos then, but nothing like what you see here today,” Javier said.

The fourth annual fiesta was originally scheduled to take place on April 25, but the event was postponed until Sunday because the Los Angeles Police Department was on alert as the city awaited the verdict in the federal trial of four police officers accused of violating Rodney G. King’s civil rights.

Norman Celik, 26, of Northridge took time between sales of mineral water to view some of the performers through his binoculars.

“Last year I couldn’t see the detail or the performers,” he explained.

Organizers said some artists were forced to cancel their performance after the change of date, but many artists rescheduled.