By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
The Brown Plaza Association begins its annual 16 de Septiembre – Día de la Independencia – starting Saturday, Sept. 14, and ending Monday, Sept 16.
The Mexican Independence festival will be at the historic Brown Plaza and include live music, food trucks and arts and crafts booths.
The celebration got underway on Saturday, Sept. 7 with a kick-off
event at Brown Plaza. The kick-off also introduced Maryjose Flores as new Miss 16 de Septiembre 2024.
The weekend celebrations for 16 De Septiembre will start Saturday. The events begin with the annual night parade beginning at 8 p.m. at the intersection of San Felipe and Garza Streets and ending at Garza Street.
The theme of the parade is “Dichos” (Mexican-American proverbs), and the honorary parade Grand Marshal is Val Verde County Surveyor Abner Martinez.
County Commissioner of Pct. 1 Martin Wardlaw is the parade marshal.
Music performances for Saturday evening will include Mariachi
David Aguilar, Grupo Sello and Grupo Existencia.
Events continue on Sunday with El Grito de Dolores La Independencia de Mexico commencing at 9 p.m. El Grito is a tribute to the battle cry that launched the revolt for Mexican independence.
Dance performances will be given by Ballet Folkorico Macuilxochitl and Grupo Folklorico Cotzal de Acuna, and music will be provided by Los Vientos Del Norte and Los Jilgueros De La Cumbia.
The final day of festivities will be on Monday, with performances provided by Adalberto Treviño and Grupo TEJAZZ (Featuring Fany ‘G’).
BPA Treasurer Dolores Martinez said it is the “first time in a while” 16 de Septiembre is taking place on a Monday, and she said the BPA will always celebrate the festivities on the day of Mexico’s independence, whether it is on the weekend or during the week.
“I know our Fridays are the best …. But we are going to try our best to get people out (to celebrate),” Martinez said. “People in Del Rio like to participate on the actual day (of Mexico’s Independence).”
