Hispanic Cultural Center hosting Mexican Independence Day parade, celebration

The Hispanic Cultural Center of Midland (HCCMidland) is inviting the Permian Basin to the Diez y Seis de Septiembre Parade.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. Sept. 14, weather permitting, from Bradford Park on the corner of E. New York Ave. and S. Jefferson St. It will set off on E. New York Street and travel east to Lamesa Street, where it will turn right and travel south to the intersection of Lamesa and Florida. The parade will then head west on Florida Street, turning left on S. Colorado Street and ending at W. Dakota Ave., opposite South Elementary.

Those interested in participating in the parade can call 432-683-4226. All entries must check in by 8:30 a.m. and there is no entrance fee.

The festivities will continue later that evening at the Mexican Independence Commemoration and Celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 3 Generations Arena. HCCMidland and Lienzo Charro 3 Generaciones will hold a family-friendly and educational evening with Charreada, food, music, and live Ballet Folklorico/Mariachi performances.

Mexican Independence Day commemorates the day a priest called upon Mexicans to rise up against the colonial Spain on Sept. 16, 1810. Every year on the eve of Sept. 16, commemorations and re-enactments occur all over Mexico.  At HCCMidland’s celebration, Gamaliel Bustillos Muñoz, Consulate of México, will re-enact the same civic ceremony by ringing a bell and giving the traditional words, with the names of Mexican Independence heroes included, ending with the threefold shout of ¡Viva México!