Mexican Independence Day celebration set for San Jacinto Plaza

The Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Cigna, invites the community to a festival that celebrates Mexican Independence Day this weekend.

The celebration is slated to start at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, at San Jacinto Plaza, in Downtown El Paso

The Mexican Independence Day celebration includes a variety of musical entertainment such as Banda Sierrena Legion 5.7, Mariachi Alegre, Grupo Silueta, along with Folklorico groups, and other performing artists.

In addition, visitors can enjoy arts and crafts booths, jumping balloons, children games and food from various food trucks.

Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs to the free, family-friendly event. San Jacinto Plaza is a dog-leash friendly park that has a splash pad, horseshoe and washer pits, and chess and table tennis.

Mexican Independence Day marks September 16, 1810, the day when priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla urged Mexicans to rise up against the colonial government of Spain. The call today is referred to as the Grito de Dolores, or Cry of Dolores, named after the town of Dolores where the cry was originally made.

For more information on the Mexican Independence Day Celebration, interested residents call the Parks and Recreation Department at (915) 212-1731.