Festivities to Mark Historic Events

A wide variety of cultural events will be held Sept. 15 and 16 to celebrate the 180th anniversary of Mexican independence.

In addition, local events Sept. 15 will commemorate 176 years of the Declaration of Independence of the Central American United Provinces, which ended the Spanish dominance in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Chilean independence day is celebrated Sept. 18.

El Grito--The City of Los Angeles, the Mexican Consulate General, the Mexican Civic-Patriotic Committee, council members Richard Alatorre and Gloria Molina, and KMEX, Channel 34, present the traditional ceremony of El Grito de Dolores; Sept. 15, 2 to 7 p.m., live musical entertainment and Mexican food at the south lawn of City Hall; 7 p.m., entertainment on the main steps of Spring Street entrance; 11 p.m, formal ceremony of El Grito, led by Mexican Consul General Jose Angel Pescador Osuna; City Hall, 1st and Spring streets; (213) 888-6944 (free).

Various Sites--Other Mexican Independence Day celebrations will be held at many city and county parks.

East L.A. Parade--The Mexican Civic-Patriotic Committee presents the 49th annual Mexican Independence Day Parade, featuring floats, marching bands, drill teams, political figures and celebrities; Sept. 16, 1:30 p.m.; begins at 1st and Lorena streets, proceeds east on 1st to Gage Avenue, turns north on Gage to Brooklyn Avenue, east on Brooklyn to Mednik Avenue, and then south on Mednik to disband at corner of 1st Street; (213) 265-4448 (free).

Santa Fe Springs--Club Cultural Mexicano presents Fiestas Patrias Mexicanas; featuring music, dance, food and games from Mexico; Sept. 14 and 15, noon to 11 p.m.; Neighborhood Center, 9255 Pioneer Blvd., Santa Fe Springs; (213) 868-0111 (free).

Medical Center--Mexican Fiesta; sponsored by L.A. County/USC Medical Center, “Nosotros,” XPRS Radio, and the Hispanic Festivities Committee; features mariachi musicians, Aztec dancers, American Indian singers and folkloric groups; Sept. 14, 11 a.m to 3 p.m.; Medical Center, General Hospital’s front steps, 1200 N. State St.; (213) 226-6899 (free).

Compton--Celebration with information on heroes of Mexican Independence; Sept. 17, 3 to 4 p.m.; Compton Health Center, Nursing Room 3, 300 Rosecrans Ave., Compton; (213) 603-7021 (free).

Salazar Park--Dance and a Mexican food contest sponsored by Casa Maravilla Senior Nutrition Center; Sept. 16, 11 a.m to 3 p.m.; Salazar Park, 3864 Wittier Blvd., Los Angeles; (213) 263-9858 (open only to people 60 years or older; $1.25 lunch, $3 dance).

Central American Parade--Floats and bands will celebrate Central American independence; Sept. 15, 11 a.m.; starts at Menlo Avenue and Pico Boulevard, proceeds east on Pico to Alvarado Street, then north on Alvarado to MacArthur Park, where a civic and cultural gathering will occur; (213) 746-9965 (free).

Central American Event--Features food, guest speakers and music; Sept. 16, 5 p.m.; Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach, 5450 Atherton St., Long Beach; (213) 374-7581 (free).

Chilean Independence--Club Chileno Everton presents a gala dance to celebrate Chilean Independence Day, featuring Pachuco y La Cubanacan orchestra; Sept. 21, 8 p.m.; Hacienda Real Night Club, 849 S. Broadway, Los Angeles; (213) 268-8255 ($25).