Celebrations around San Diego County marking Mexico’s 215th Independence Day continued Sunday, from Chula Vista to Escondido. featuring music, dancing, food, and traditional crafts.
Officially, Mexican Independence Day is Tuesday, but multiple events commemorated the Grito de Dolores on Sunday.
In historic Barrio Logan, the Cultura Fest displayed creations by local artists. It also offered shopping, drinks, music, lowriders, and much more to commemorate the day.
Chula Vista celebrated “El Grito” with Mayor John McCann hosting a traditional Mexican Independence Day celebration.
The event at Chula Vista’s Memorial Park, featured mariachi, ballet folklórico and music from Norteño singer Tapy Quintero.
“El Grito” was set for 6:45 p.m., conducted by the Consul General of Mexico’s Office in San Diego.
In North County, Escondido’s all-day event offered a church mass at noon, followed by traditional dancing, mariachis, ballet folklorico, and live performances, while Vista hosted its second annual Fiestas Patrias, featuring a soccer tournament, kids play area, live music and dance, local food and businesses.
On Sept. 16, 1810, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang a church bell in Dolores, Mexico and gave a call to arms that ignited the Mexican War of Independence.
Independence from Spain took a bloody 11 years and 12 days to achieve, but the Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire was finally signed on Sept. 28, 1821.
City News Service contributed to this report.
