The Latino Outreach Council (LOC) of San Luis Obispo County enthusiastically presents “Fiestas Patrias” – a highly colorful and festive event to commemorate Mexican Independence from Spain on Thursday, September 17, 2015. The free celebration will take place in San Luis Obispo’s (SLO) Mission Plaza from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm concurrently to SLO’s popular Farmer’s Market.

“Many people think “Cinco de Mayo” is a celebration of “Mexican Independence”, says Joseph Castro, Jr., Latino Outreach Council’s Vice Chairperson. “It’s not. Since 1810, the real Mexican Independence “El Grito de Dolores and Aniversario de la Independencia” is celebrated starting on the evening of September 15 and continues through the next day”, adds Castro. The celebration commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo and Costilla’s Grito de Dolores when the end of Spanish rule occurred in Mexico. Additionally, in 1825, the Republic of Mexico officially declared September 16 its national Independence Day (Día de la Independencia).

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican event that commemorates the initial victory of Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Although it’s celebrated widely in the United States, in Mexico, it’s only a bank holiday.

The San Luis Obispo celebration of “Fiestas Patrias” will feature live music, singing and dancing with several groups. They include the “Aztec Dancers”, several local Folklorico dancing groups, and the group “Mariachi Internacional Mexicanismo”. The Consulate of Mexico will also hold the “El Grito” which officially declares the Independence of Mexico along with a flag ceremony.

For more details about the LOC’s “Fiestas Patrias”, please contact Mark Corella at 805-704-3536 or by email at [email protected].