Celebrate Mexican Independence Day/El Grito de Independencía!

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Two Mexican Independence Day celebrations are slated for the Twin Cities this weekend. You can choose between Lake Street in Minneapolis and the West Side of St. Paul.

El Grito de Dolores begins the revolution

On September 16, 1810, Padre Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bells in the small town of Dolores, summoning the people of the town. Don Hidalgo “addressed his congregation in words well calculated to incite them to insurrection. He drew a picture of the evils which rested over them; the iniquities of the Government to which they were subject and the advantages of independence. His venerable appearance, his voice and manner, and his attractive words aroused in them the greatest enthusiasm, and they gave a great shout, “Viva Independencia! Viva America! Muere el mal gobierno!” (Long live Independence! Long live America! Death to bad government!)” (Arthur Howard Noll, The Life and Times of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, p. 76.) This was “El Grito de Dolores.”

The original Mexican revolutionaries were split. On one side, masses of poor Indians and mestizos, led by Father Miguel Hidalgo, wanted dignity, justice, and land of their own. On the other side, wealthier creoles wanted to replace the Spanish rulers by seizing power for themselves. They did not want to share either the government or the wealth of the country with the poor.

Led by Hidalgo, the Father of Mexican Independence, the masses swept over Mexico like an unstoppable fire during the first year of the war. Lacking guns to meet the Spanish soldiers, tens of thousands died, using sheer numbers to overcome the firepower of the military. When the tide of the war turned, Hidalgo was captured and executed. The revolution continued, with Mexico winning its independence ten years later.

Minneapolis

On Sunday, September 14 from about 11:30 to 6 p.m., Lake Street hosts a celebration of Mexican independence. Festivities begin with a parade that goes from Bloomington Avenue east to Third Avenue South. After the parade, according to the day’s organizer, GoLatino, you can ” visit the many booths featuring sponsoring organizations, local Latino businesses, food vendors, schools, churches and nonprofit organizations serving the Latino community. Booths will line East Lake Street from Portland Avenue to Second Avenue South. … Local groups will perform music and cultural dances throughout the day on two stages and a variety of other activities such as pony rides, inflatable games, a car show and a sports area will be available. There will also be an information area where community members can learn about safety, health and education. ” For information, call 612-455-4620.

St. Paul

St. Paul’s celebration starts on Saturday, with tacos, elotes (roasted corn), and mariachi music in La Placita, next to El Burrito Mercado, which is sponsoring the events. On Sunday, from 12-6, organizers invite everyone to ” celebrate Mexico’s independence in a fun and family friendly Mexican tradition style! An outdoor plaza adjacent to our market, with seating, tacos, corn on the cob, tamales, wine, beer, sangria, and more! Folkloric dancers, Mariachi Band, Jalapeno eating contest, DJ music, and more! Please join us for the fiesta!” The also promise “El Grito de Independencia” at 5:45 p.m.

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