Mexican Fiesta
Today marked the commemoration of the 186th anniversary of the Mexican Independence Day. All over the world, Mexicans are celebrating this historic event with a fiesta. Here in Atlanta, the fiesta was held on the grounds outside Santa Fe Mall in Duluth. There were festival rides, several booths selling food, crafts, toys, and other merchandise, and live entertainment provided by well-known performers.
Mexican Independence Day is a major event observed and celebrated in Mexico. In 1810, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo called for the arrest of Spanish colonizers in his village of Dolores. Dubbed “Grito de Dolores” (Cry of Dolores), it led to the revolution against Spaniards which lasted for 11 years.
The celebrating begins on September 15 (the eve of Independence Day) by having crowds of people gather in the zocalos (town meeting place) of cities, towns, and villages. In Mexico City a huge square is decorated with flags, flowers and lights of red, white, and green. People sell confetti, whistles, horns, paper-machete helmets, and toys in the colors of red, white and green. The people also eat lots of food.
The people watch the time and when the clock strikes eleven o’clock the crowd gets silent. On the last strike of eleven the president of Mexico steps out on the palace balcony, and rings the historic liberty bell that Father Hidalgo rang to call the people. Then the president gives the Grito de Delores. He shouts “Viva Mexico” “Viva la independencia” and the crowd echos back. People do this at the same time all across Mexico. While the crowd says this they fill the air with confetti, streamers and noise. Castillos explode in showers of red, white, and green. Then people go home and sleep for the next days’ celebration.
The actual day of September 16 is similar to July Fourth in the Untied States. There are rodeos, parades, bullfights and horseback rider performances. The people feast and recall Hidalgo’s speeches. There are statues in memory of Father Hidalgo and people decorate them with flowers that are red, white, and green.
Atlanta’s celebration started with the “El Grito” of former Consul of Mexico. There were thousands who came to take part in this festive event.
Tags: Mexican-Independence-Day, Santa-Fe-mallRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Events, Family Fun
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