Yuma, Arizona - The City of Yuma and the Consulate of Mexico in Yuma are hosting a free celebration of Mexico's Independence Day on Friday, Sept. 15, that aims to showcase our binational region's history, heritage and culture. The Fiestas Patrias will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Yuma Civic Center (1440 W. Desert Hills Drive) on Friday, September 15, 2017. Admission is free and open to the public.
Yuma's Fiestas Patrias which translates to "patriotic parties" recognizes Mexico's Independence Day and National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The event will be two-fold with an outdoor street fair in the parking lot area of the Yuma Civic Center, and live entertainment and ceremonies taking place inside the venue. The outdoor street fair will have piñatas, food vendors, craft vendors and a variety of activities for all ages. Indoors, there will be live music, performances, ceremonies, art work, face painting, and a cultural craft station sponsored by the Yuma County Library.
Main stage entertainment inside of the Yuma Civic Center will include performances by "Banda Sinaloense" and a mariachi band from the Gadsden School District, "Rondalla de Todos Santos" from Baja California, folkloric ballet dancers from San Luis Rio Colorado, and an exhibition of roping by charros and charras.
Yuma Mayor Douglas J. Nicholls is slated to be in attendance. He will be introducing the Executive Director of the Arizona Governor's Office of Equal Opportunity Barry Wong to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Yuma.
This annual Fiesta will culminate with Mexican Consul Eusebio Romero giving the official reenactment of "El Grito." El Grito de Dolores was the battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence, heard on September 16, 1810, by Roman Catholic Priest Miguel Hidalgo. His cry became the emblematic of Mexican Independence.
The event will be emceed by Telemundo news talent.
Along with the Consulate of Mexico in Yuma, the Yuma Civic Center partners with many local businesses who help support the event. Together, the City and Consulate thank the following valued local organizations who support this safe and family-friendly community event: Yuma Honda, State Farm Agents of Yuma, U.S. Army, Del Taco, Yuma County Library, Cricket Wireless, Luigi O Photo, Sierra Sani Services, BLT Companies, Creaciones Bella, Yuma County Library, Entravision, La Tricolor 99.3, UniMas El Centro, Univision El Centro, Jose 94.5, LATN, Azteca Yuma, La Campesina 104.5, Blackhawk Broadcasting: KSWT 13, KYMA 11, ABC 5, Fox 9, CW6, Telemundo, Monster Media Yuma: Z93, Outlaw Country, El Dorado Broadcasters: 95.1 KTTI, Star 100.9, and 560 KBLU.
For festival information, please call Marketing Specialist Carrie Ring at (928) 373-5043 or send her an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .