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Friday marks the start of celebrations of Mexico’s Independence Day. While the actual holiday is September 16, traditional celebrations hosted by Puerto’s municipalities, San Pedro Mixtepec and Santa María Colotopec, will begin this evening.
Sara Velas, a Puerto local who is also a folkloric dancer, explained a bit about the history of the event. “Tonight we’ll celebrate the Cry for Independence. The country was upset about injustices so the ‘heroes’ got together to fight. The priest Miguel Hidalgo sounded the bells to call the people together to fight [for independence]. That’s why it’s called the cry for independence, Viva Mexico!”
All over the country, Mexicans will be celebrating in their towns’ respective plazas. Mexico City is known for having the most extravagant celebration, with the country’s president leading El Grito. The event will be nationally televised.
One Puerto local mentions, “The especially cool events are in Mexico City. In Puerto, it’s really just El Grito, and then out partying at night. There’s also a parade [tomorrow] with local schools.”
Traditional events will take place in the Agencia Municipal. There will be plenty of carnival games for the kids as it is a family affair, along with food, music and dancing.
Many local restaurants and bars will also hold parties for the holiday. While they aren’t necessarily “traditional” in nature, it’s sure that the merriment of Independence Day will be in the air, even if it’s just another excuse to head to the parties. Live music, drink specials, and traditional dishes will be seen in many establishments tagged with the banner Viva Mexico.
One resident said, “My kids’ school is having an event. But I want to go to the restaurants in the evening.” For foodies especially, it’s a good time to eat out and experience some of Mexico’s traditional dishes, such as chile en nogada and pozole. While Puerto’s heat usually doesn’t invite eating this hefty soup very often, today’s clouds could encourage comfort food.
Velas says, “Each town has the traditional events with El Grito, dancing, and carnival games. That’s what will happen at the Agencia Municipal. But, at home with families, we have a traditional meal together. We usually cook pozole, mole, tacos dorados. It depends on the place, whatever is traditional in the region.”
While the events for Colotopec aren’t outlined in detail, they will begin celebrations at 8 p.m. And, as is traditional, El Grito will likely take place around 11.
“Right after El Grito they’ll do a bunch of fireworks. And then after that, there will be traditional dancing. It’s a nice event,” says Velas of the events in Puerto.
Celebrations will begin Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the Agencia Municipal. The main event, the Cry for Independence, will take place at 11 p.m. followed by fireworks and then a dance performance at 11:30.
While celebrations will go on late into the night (prepare for the sweet sounds of banda music and parties throughout the city), events will continue tomorrow as well. At 8 a.m. there will be a parade that starts from the Mercado Benito Juárez and will continue down Avenida Oaxaca.
El Sol de Puerto
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