The annual event celebrating Mexican Independence Day brings together colorful floats, charros, dancers and musicians.
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the traditional Mexican Independence Day Parade will resume Sunday in East Los Angeles with colorful floats, charros, dancers, musicians and special guests, including Dodgers pitching legend Fernando Valenzuela as the parade’s grand marshal.
“We do it with the aim that the youngest really integrate and that the parade serves as part of their spiritual, patriotic growth and love for their parents and the country where they come from,” added the 62-year-old activist. “Let there be no doubt in your mind: We love the United States, but we also love our home country.”In its formative years, the parade began at Placita Olvera and ended in Lincoln Park.
Mexico’s national holiday is a special occasion and a 25-year-old ritual for businesswoman Martha Jiménez. For the immigrant from Guadalajara, it’s an opportunity for instilling in her children and grandchildren an appreciation of their cultural heritage. The parade winds up in front of her business, Alisol Flower Store, on Cesar Chavez Avenue, where residents and other merchants customarily set up chairs and tents and share food.
Everyone helps with the decorations, said Martha Jiménez, who this year plans to decorate three vehicles. “This is Mexico in two hours,” she said. “I have seen how people get excited, shake the children’s hands, raise their flags and shout, ‘Long live Mexico!’ especially those who, due to their irregular immigration status, cannot leave, and this allows them to join the community,” she said.