The United States celebrates its independence on July 4 with fireworks, and the beginning of the school year in September with a sigh of relief. For many Latin countries, however, September is the time for celebrating independence.
Las Fiestas Patrias is the national celebration of two holidays, Cinco de Mayo (which technically happens in May) and Mexican Independence Day. Both holidays are traditionally celebrated from Sept. 15 to 17. Santa Maria will see a family day to mark the occasion on Sept. 14.
“It’s just bringing culture to the community,” said Las Fiestas Patrias Chair Joseph Sapien.
Sapien said it’s also a chance for the community to learn about what the celebration really means.
Sept. 16 is celebrated in Mexico as Mexican Independence Day. The celebration commemorates Mexico’s independence and is often confused with the Battle of Puebla, or Cinco de Mayo. Mexican Independence Day, rather, commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores) on Sept. 16, 1810, at the village of Dolores, near Guanajuato. Hidalgo, a Mexican Roman Catholic priest of Spanish descent, was considered to be a revolutionary rebel leader. Soon after becoming a priest, he’s said to have promoted the idea of an uprising by the native and mixed-blood peasantry against wealthy Spanish landowners and aristocrats. On Sept. 16, 1810, Hidalgo brought his plans forward and called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico. That call was the beginning of the War of Independence in Mexico, which lasted 10 years.
The other public holiday celebrated during this time is Cinco de Mayo, commemorating Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza’s victory on May 5, 1862, over the French expeditionary forces at Puebla, Mexico.
Last year’s Las Fiestas Patrias in Santa Maria brought out more than 5,000 people—with little advertising. This year, organizers expect more.
“We are way ahead of where we were last year,” Sapien said, adding that they started planning for this year’s event in January.
This time around, the celebration will feature mariachis, Hispanic food vendors, face painting, payasitos or clowns, Hispanic artists, and lots of music. Los Grandes de Tijuana, Ligeros de Zacate, Veneno Norte“o, Voces de Santa Maria, and Dina Delgado will perform. Organizers planned the event to offer something for all ages.
“It’s a family
affair. It’s free, there’s no alcohol. And it’s open to everybody,” Sapien said.
The event was celebrated in Santa Maria for many years until Sept. 11, 2001, when organizers decided to call off the event. The celebration lost momentum until it was revived last year. Sapien said that organizers hope the celebration will continue to grow and become something akin to Santa Barbara’s fiesta.
“We’d like to see people who come from outlying areas to attend the event, and to bring those dollars and spend those dollars here,” Sapien said.
More importantly, though, Sapien said that he’d like to see the event make an impression on the community, and offer a good time for families.
“My goal is to see a child with their face painted, an animal balloon in hand, eating a churro, listening to the music, and just all smiles,” he said. “That’s when I’ll say ‘cool.’”
He also pointed out that the event is more than just a celebration for Hispanics. It’s also a chance for others to check out the music, culture, and flavor of Mexico.
“It’s for everybody, just experience and feel the love,” Sapien said. “Just have a good time, spend an hour or two with us.”
INFOBOX: Eat a churro
Santa Maria will celebrate Las Fiestas Patrias with a family day from noon to 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Santa Maria Civic Center at Cook and McClelland streets.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone often has an animal balloon in hand. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 11-18, 2008.