Mariachi groups from around the country took part in the festival, which was jointly organized by the National Union of Mariachis and the local government. Some 50,000 spectators sang along with the bands, which started to play at 1 in the afternoon and continued playing well into the evening. For nine hours, the performers, and their fans, belted out Mexico’s famous mariachi tunes, including all-time favorite Cielito Lindo. The event featured 12 mariachi bands, and a total of 150 musicians, both well known and emerging artists. With this first edition of the Mariachi Marathon, the city hopes to have started an annual tradition.