The
annual celebratation of two national holidays, referred to as
the Fiestas Patrias, originated in the nineteenth century.
The first holiday, Cinco de Mayo (May 5), commemorates
Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza's victory on May 5, 1862 over the French
expeditionary forces at Puebla, Mexico. Cinco de Mayo
also celebrates the cultural ties that the raza (the "race"
or "clan," i.e., Mexican Americans) share with each
other and with Mexico.
The second, Diez y Seis de Septiembre (September 16),
commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's grito de Dolores
("cry of Dolores") on September 16, 1810, at the village
of Dolores near Guanajuato. Hidalgo called for the end of Spanish
rule in Mexico. On September 16, 1825, the Republic of Mexico
officially declared Diez y Seis de Septiembre its national
Independence Day.
This Septmber 15-17 honors the Fiestas Patrias celebrations that
remember these two events. This year's festivities (2005) are
listed below. Click on any thumbnail
to enlarge the image.
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There was a light turnout for the Patrias
parade this morning. While various branches of the Mexican
Armed Forces and representatives from local school marched
and goose-stepped to drums and horns, starched local officials
looked on while an early morning sun reddened the back of
their necks. Nature disrespects the high and low without
discrimination.
September 15th
8:00 PM: Cultural Art Program
10:00 PM: Flag Ceremony
10:40 PM: Historical Review
11:00 PM: The Cry of Independence Ceremony
11:20 PM: Fireworks
MIDNIGHT: Dance to the music of Banda Chicanora.
September 16th
8:00 AM: Flag Ceremony
8:30 AM: Parade
7:00 PM: Local Artists' Display
8:00 PM: Palenque (Cock Fight)
8:00 PM: Mock Pamplonada (Running of the Bulls)
9:00 PM: Dance to the music of Banda Chicanora.
September 17th
7:00 PM: Local Artists' Display
8:00 PM: Palenque (Cock Fight)
9:00 PM: Dance to the music of Banda Chicanora.
MIDNIGHT: Festival Finale Fireworks |
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