Mexican Independence Day celebrations in Imperial Valley

Communities in the Imperial Valley and Calexico, California, held various events to commemorate the 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day.

Large-scale festivities coordinated by the Mexican Consulate in Calexico included the ‘Día del Grito: Fiesta Mexicana’ at the Imperial Valley Mall. These celebrations featured mariachi music, folkloric dancing, traditional food, and a Grito ceremony involving a military honor guard from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California. Rocío Vázquez Álvarez, head consul of the Mexican Consulate in Calexico, stated that these events serve to “celebrate Mexican heritage and strengthen community partnerships.”

On a local level, Desert Valley Elementary in Calexico organized a school-based celebration to promote Mexican culture. The event included educational information and approximately 10 stations featuring traditional Mexican games and activities. Principal Bertha Noriega noted that the school, which serves a majority of students of Mexican descent, enjoys celebrating these traditions due to its location in a border city.