CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Mexican Independence Day is Monday and San Diego already started celebrating. The annual El Grito ceremony kicked off Hispanic Heritage month that started Saturday.
Thousands of people celebrated El Grito in Chula Vista. There was music, dancing, food and so much more. El Grito is celebrated every year on the Eve of Mexican Independence Day.
"It's important to learn about our history especially being Mexican Americans here and learning about our background," said Francesca, a Chula Vista resident.
This year was extra special for people living in Chula Vista.
Chula Vista Mayor John McCann hosting Ambassador Alicia G. Kerber-Palma, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego for a traditional Mexican Independence Day celebration.
This event runs from 4-8 p.m. in Chula Vista's Memorial Park, 373 Park Way. It will feature mariachi, ballet folklórico and music from Norteño singer Tapy Quintero.
"We are honored to have Ambassador Kerber-Palma join Chula Vista for her first El Grito since coming to San Diego in February," McCann said. "Our event will be a celebration of culture and independence."
"It's the first time we come to Chula Vista because we know many of our community lives in Chula Vista so where they are we come," said Ambassador Kerber-Palma.
El Grito is a tribute to the Mexican people's battle cry when they rose up against Spanish rule.
On Sept. 16, 1810, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang a church bell in Dolores, Mexico, and gave a call to arms that ignited the Mexican War of Independence. This independence from Spain took a bloody 11 years and 12 days to achieve, but the Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire was signed on Sept. 28, 1821.
"Shouting as one voice 'Viva Mexico!' because it's not the shout of one day but the shout every Mexican does every day knowing they are from Mexico and proud of being Mexican," she said.
Families say it’s important for them to bring their kids and teach them out about their culture.
“The food, the music, having the kids know about our culture and just because we’re not in Mexico we want to show them Mexican cultures," said Liz who lives in Chula Vista.
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