Mexican Independence Day Festival set for Sunday

Rodeo events, Mexican food and charros with their horses dancing to the beat of the banda are all a part of the experience at Yuba City’s Mexican Independence Day Festival on Sunday at the Yuba-sutter Fairgrounds.

Not to be confused with Cinco De Mayo, Mexican Independence Day is a major holiday celebrated in Mexico. What the Fourth of July is to America, the 16th of September is to the people of Mexico.

“Many years ago people in America started celebrating Cinco De Mayo more, not knowing that Mexican Independence Day is our actual Independence Day,” said Juan Villagrana, president of Yuba City’s Mexican Independence Day Festival.

In celebration, the Mexican Independence Day festival will begin at noon with a parade through the fairgrounds. It will be followed by a special Mexican tradition – an hour of charros dancing with their most valuable horses for attendees to view. Villagrana said when the festival began 15 years ago, they had to use what is considered cheap horses that cost $1,000. Now, they have been successful enough to bring horses that cost about $60,000.

There will also be 10-15 different food vendors promoting Mexican cuisine, along with plenty of other music and dancing. The festival will also include a speech presented by the Mexican Council from Sacramento and a traditional rodeo that will begin at 7 p.m.

Every year thousands of people show up to the Yuba-sutter Fairgrounds for this festival.

“I invite everyone come out. On the Fourth of July I like to go to events and learn about America. I also attend the Punjabi Festivals to learn. I think its important for people to come be a part of our culture and witness things like the Mariachi bands and folkloric

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dancers,” said Villagrana. “I also think it’s important to bring our culture to our younger crowds like my sons and daughters so they don’t forget where we came from and who we are.”

The Mexican Independence Day Festival runs from noon-9 p.m. and is free. For more information, call 821-0226.