Mexican Fete of Freedom This Weekend
The biggest Mexican Independence Day celebration in Los Angeles takes place this weekend at Belvedere Park in East Los Angeles. At the height of the fiesta Sunday afternoon, more than 130,000 people are expected. The two-day party features nonstop entertainment from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with carnival rides continuing until 10 both nights.
Local folkloric dance troupes and mariachi bands will perform from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, followed by the KDAY disc jockeys, the rock groups World Class Wrecking Cru and L.A. Dream Team. Sunday’s line-up features entertainers from Mexico: singers Alejandro Altara, Felipe Villaverde, Mariachis Los Gavilanes and hosted by Miguel Angel Arena. Sunday’s entertainment will close with a fireworks display at 8 p.m.
The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at First and Lorena streets with more than 300 entries--marching bands, floats, drill teams and silver-saddled horses. The procession will go north on Lorena, then east on Brooklyn Avenue to Mednik Avenue, where the reviewing stands are, and then funnel into the park. The grand marshal is singer Andy Russell, who grew up in East Los Angeles.
Local community groups will be doing the cooking at dozens of food booths.
The celebration is a few days in advance of the holiday, Wednesday, which honors Mexico’s independence from Spain.
Belvedere Park is at Brooklyn and Mednik avenues. Information: (213) 268-9391. Admission is free.
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