A group of people stand in a field. A cloudy, overcast sky is behind them.

Heritage University celebrates Mexican Independence Day

By Reneé Diaz
A group of people stand in a field. A cloudy, overcast sky is behind them.
Over 500 people participated in El Grito during a Mexican Independence Day event on Saturday. (Credit: Renee Diaz / NWPB)

Listen

(Runtime 3:57)

Read

On Saturday, people gathered at Heritage University in Toppenish to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Over 500 people from across the Yakima Valley celebrated together at the university. Monday marked the holiday’s official celebration. 

Jennifer Renteria, the High School Equivalency Program director at the university, said that the event was a way for people in the community to learn more about their culture. 

“This is especially (for) those who were born here, but never been into Mexico so they know a little bit more about our culture,” Renteria said. 

Six dancers, in brightly colored skirts, stand in a grassy area. A bright blue sky with clouds is above them.
Grupo La Esperanza prepares to perform at the Mexican Independence Day ceremony at Heritage University. (Credit: Renee Diaz / NWPB)

There was a reenactment of “El Grito de Independencia,” with a representative from the Mexican Consulate in Seattle. A crowd gathered around the representative to pay homage to the “Cry of Dolores,” yelling back “viva Mexico.”

The university’s event pays tribute to the Cry of Dolores, which ignited the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish rule. The cry comes from Miguel Hidalgo, who led rebels against the Spanish. Hidalgo was then captured to later be executed. His cry before he was captured became the cry of independence. 

Every year on the night of Sept. 15, a government official shouts a version of El Grito in Mexico City. 

The event also included performances from the band de Los De La Z , folklore dance group Grupo La Esperanza and the Yakima Aztec Dancers. 

A man is standing behind a table with traditional Mexican clothing. Another man is standing in front of the table. He's looking at the items.
Vendors sell traditional Mexican clothing at the event. (Credit: Renee Diaz / NWPB)

The celebration was also paired with a resource fair. There were over 20 agencies present at the event. Each booth had information to share on topics including voting, health care, financial services, reading programs and classes to become a citizen. 

Along with the resource fair, there were vendors selling goods ranging from clothing to homemade candles. There was also the opportunity for families to play traditional games, like loteria. People were also able to make crafts. 

 

A high school student in a bright yellow t-shirt stands behind a table with a craft depicting the Mexican flag.
Marley Chino, a volunteer from Toppenish High School, helped kids make crafts during the Mexican Independence Day event. (Credit: Renee Diaz / NWPB)

Many of the craft stations had a learning aspect to them. Marley Chino, a student volunteering from Toppenish High School, was in charge of a table that taught people what the Mexican flag looked like. 

“Some of the kids didn’t know what the Mexican flag looked like,” he said. “It was fun watching them see what ideas they came up with.”

Sunday also marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage month, which continues until Oct. 15.

Reneé Diaz may be contacted at diaz@wenatcheeworld.com. Collaborative reporting by The Wenatchee World, NWPB and WSU’s Murrow College of Communication Local News Fellowship.

Tags: