Oxnard Fiesta Celebrates Mexico Independence Day

“Viva Mexico!” shouted a man parading on a horse down the middle of C Street in Oxnard on Saturday. The crowd that had gathered to celebrate Mexico’s independence day responded with cheers.

“This is our Fourth of July,” said Rosa Contreras, who moved to Oxnard from Mexico 13 years ago. Her husband, Alejandro, added: “This is a historic day for us . . . it’s a time to celebrate.”

The first freedom fiesta was on Sept. 16, 1810, in a tiny village in what was then called New Spain. The parish priest of Dolores in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato issued a call--known as “El Grito”--for independence from Spanish rule.

The commemoration of that day, called Fiestas Patrias, has spread far beyond Mexico’s borders. The independence day fiesta is Ventura County’s largest cultural gala of the year.

By the end of today, organizers of Oxnard’s Fiestas Patrias say, more than 125,000 people will have attended the two-day celebration, which was kicked off Saturday by a noontime parade.

Jess Gutierrez, a state parole agent who grew up in Oxnard, said he can remember when the fiestas in the city were small.

Now, he said, “no other event brings this many people” to Oxnard.

“It reminds people of their Hispanic heritage,” said Gutierrez, whose parents were from Mexico. “That’s something to be proud of. I’m an American, but I will never forget until the day I die that my background is definitely Mexican.

“I tell people that we’ve got to keep the celebration going--not just once a year, but every day.”

The celebration, organized by the Oxnard Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce, will resume at 10 a.m. today at Plaza Park, 5th and B streets. It will feature a carnival, arts and crafts and a variety of Mexican dishes prepared at 60 booths.

Live entertainment will include mariachi bands, dance groups and bands playing salsa and Tex-Mex music.

One of the highlights of the cultural event will be a re-enactment of the original “El Grito” at 10 p.m. Sunday by Mexican Consul Luis Humberto Ramirez.

Admission to the fiesta is free.

There were about 100 entries in the parade, including five high school marching bands from around the county. County Supervisor John K. Flynn, wearing a sombrero, waved to spectators as he rode in the back of a convertible. Several mariachi bands played lively tunes.

Albert Avilez, 12, of Oxnard sat on the curb, waving a Mexican flag and watching the procession. He said he came for one reason: to see the lowriders.

“They’re my favorites,” he said, grinning as a group of souped-up cars passed by.

After the parade, spectators filed over to the nearby concession booths.

Della Rochin of Oxnard, who is not of Mexican descent, said she came to the event simply because she likes the cultural atmosphere.

“The music is the best,” Rochin said as a nearby band played “La Bamba.” “It makes me want to dance.”

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