In a city with a Hispanic majority, locals will honor Mexican
Independence Day on Sunday with the 19th annual parade along San
Benito Street to commemorate the country’s victory for freedom from
Spain in 1810.
The parade, to begin at 11 a.m., will start at San Benito High
School and travel to Fifth Street. From there, the hour-long
procession will proceed to College Avenue and then to Sacred Heart
Catholic Church.
In a city with a Hispanic majority, locals will honor Mexican Independence Day on Sunday with the 19th annual parade along San Benito Street to commemorate the country’s victory for freedom from Spain in 1810.
The parade, to begin at 11 a.m., will start at San Benito High School and travel to Fifth Street. From there, the hour-long procession will proceed to College Avenue and then to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Mexico’s independence day is actually Sept. 16, similarly to the United States’ July 4. But local Hispanics generally hold festivities the Sunday preceding the holiday. On Sept. 16, 1810, the Mexican War of Independence began.
Hollister resident Ruben Rodriguez is chairing the day’s festivities and a celebration afterward at Sacred Heart. Rodriguez said the parade will include about 30 cars, in which prominent government and business leaders will ride.
Rodriguez said county Supervisor Bob Cruz, Water District Board member Jaime De La Cruz, Judge Steve Sanders and City Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia are scheduled participants.
“I always honor that day because of my heritage,” Valdivia said. “I think we need to conserve that, it’s part of where we came from and who we are.”
After the parade, many of the residents taking part will gather at Sacred Heart Church for mass – followed by the kermesse featuring Mexican music, dancing and food. A queen for the event, Hollister’s Maria Avial, 20, will also ride in the parade.
“It’s just great to have the cultural events for the kids,” Rodriguez said. “Then they understand it’s our independence day.”
In Mexico, celebrations in most cities generally begin Sept. 15 at 11 p.m. Other cities in the Central Coast region holding ceremonies include Watsonville, Salinas, Gonzales and Greenfield.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will hold a special mixer tonight to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, as well as Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts Sept. 15.
And the senior center will host a celebration at 11 a.m. Sept. 16.
