Festival to Salute Mexico Independence

Three days after Mexico’s official independence day of Sept. 16, downtown Santa Ana will kick off its own festival honoring a day that holds special meaning for a city that boasts one of the largest Latino populations in the county.

Appropriately named for its location, Las Fiestas Patrias de Independencia de la Calle Cuatro (for non-Spanish speakers, that’s the Patriotic Party of Independence of Fourth Street), this weekend’s celebration will pack a nonstop schedule of entertainers and activities, including a bicycle race, a parade and performances by groups from Orange County and throughout Latin America.

The Golden City Grand Prix bicycle race will be held Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a course surrounding the city’s Civic Center. Eight separate races will take place throughout the day, with the main event beginning at 3 p.m.--that race is expected to draw many top-rated national and foreign cyclists.

Riders throughout the day will be competing for nearly $6,000 in cash prizes. Entrants must be members or affiliates of a United States Cycling Federation sanctioned club. Post-entry fees range from $15 to $25 per race.

The parade, complete with floats and marching bands, will start off at 1 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Main and 17th streets.

Mexican soap opera star Ernesto Laguardia and Emmy-winning television producer Beatrice Acevedo will host the family-oriented street party. Other Latin American stars scheduled to make appearances include Christian Castro, Paulina Rubio, Ricky Martin, Chantal, Calo, and Eduardo Capetillo.

The Fourth Street promenade will also be the site of carnival attractions, ethnic food and drink booths and such local cultural entertainment as ballet folklorico and mariachis.

Capping off the fiesta on Sunday at 6 p.m. will be the “El Grito” ceremony, in which a symbolic bell of freedom is sounded by dignitaries from Latin American consulates, as well as local elected officials.

The fourth annual fiesta, sponsored by the Santa Ana Business Assn. with corporate assistance and coordinated by Hispanic America Advertising, is expected to draw 300,000 visitors during the three days. The fiesta will also be seen in Latino homes worldwide through a broadcast via Televisa, which organizers said has a viewing audience of 300 million.

What: Las Fiestas Patrias de Independencia.

When: Friday, Sept. 18, from noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 19, from noon to midnight, and Sunday, Sept. 20, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Fiesta Market Place, Fourth Street, downtown Santa Ana.

Whereabouts: Take the Santa Ana (5) Freeway, exit at Fourth Street and head west.

Wherewithal: Admission is free.

Where to Call: (310) 908-6933.