Mexican Independence Day celebrates Hispanic culture

These two pre-schoolers delighted the audience at Saturday's Mexican Independence Day celebration. The two were part of the ECHO youth dance group, performing traditional dances.

The weather was chilly but a solid crowd of about 300 people turned out Saturday for the community's Mexican Independence Day celebration.

The event is a celebration of Hispanic culture and Saturday's event featured cultural dance performances, was well as a dozen food and vendor booths, was well as games for children.

Emcee Elsa Guillen, quoting Cesar Chavez, noted that "preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt for other cultures," and praised the community's diversity.

In fact, that was the theme of many of the speakers who opened the activities, that began at 2 p.m. and ran well into the evening.

Mayor Joe B. McNeal said he was proud to be the mayor "of this beautiful city with its cultural diversity," adding that every member of the community has a stake in the entire community.

Raffles were held during the day for a number of items, including a calf, and Latino music echoed through Carl Miller Park throughout the day and those attending enjoyed the colorful celebration and contests held during the five hours of activities.

The highlight of the presentations was the dancing of the Elmore County Hispanic Organization's Folkloric Youth Dance Troupe, who performed traditional dances in traditional costume, and music by singers Cirilo and Aurora Martinez and DJ Music Susano Guadarrama.