In 1810, a Catholic priest sparked a movement that changed a nation’s history. That year Mexico began the fight for its independence from Spain.
More than 200 years later, people around the world continue to celebrate this critical moment in Mexican history.
The Diez y Seis de Septiembre (Sept. 16) celebration will be held Saturday at North Park in honor of Mexican Independence Day.
“Everywhere in the United States people celebrate Diez y Seis de Septiembre,” event organizer Saul Aviles said. “We want to try to continue this event. It’s for everybody, and we want the community to feel welcome.”
The event will begin with a parade at 10 a.m. The parade will start on the Varsity Square parking lot (College Ave. and 30th Street) and end in North Park.
Park activities include a performance by the Folklorico de Guadalupe dance team, show horses, a mechanical bull, a mariachi band and a demonstration by the West Texas Tae Kwon Do Academy.
“The event has been around for a while, but we’re a new group of people who got together to plan this year’s event,” Aviles said. “We’re trying to organize it to improve it every year. “
Vendors and attractions will be open at North Park all day Saturday.