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Mexican Independence Day is September 16, (not Cinco de Mayo, contrary to American belief), and hundreds of people are participating in the 71st annual East Los Angeles Mexican Independence Day Parade and Festival Sunday. The parade is the nation's oldest and largest Hispanic parade. The parade began at 10 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Mednik Street and E. Cesar Chávez Blvd and ended at Gage Street. The festival began after the parade and continues until 5 p.m. Sunday. This year's theme for the festival and parade is "Celebrating the year of Mexico in Los Angeles."
The parade is organized every year by the Comité Mexicano Cívico Patriótico, an 85-year-old nonprofit serving the Mexican-American community of Los Angeles. The parade features groups representing the different states of Mexico, as well as marching bands and cheerleading squads from local high schools and colleges. Oscar de la Hoya and Mariano Barba are joining this year's festivities, according to ABC, and Mexico City mayor Miguel Angel Mancera Espinosa is this year's Grand Marshal for the parade.
Check out some of the best moments from the parade and festival so far:
Que Viva Mexico! 🙌🏽 🇮🇹 Honored to celebrate my heritage with our East LA Community. #MexicanIndependence pic.twitter.com/tqwlrJSEGL
— Commander Ruby Flores (@LAPDRuby) September 10, 2017
It was a spectacular day in East L.A. for the 71st Mexican Independence Day Parade! Share your photos with #abc7eyewitness! pic.twitter.com/nq4Aj6CFUf
— Vista L.A. (@VistaLA) September 10, 2017
The East Los Angeles #MexicanIndependence Day Festival continues to 5pm on Mednik Ave. between Cesar E. Chavez Ave. and First St. pic.twitter.com/24XfvgGCbc
— Vista L.A. (@VistaLA) September 10, 2017
