THINGS TO DO

16 de septiembre: fun things to do in El Paso to celebrate Mexican Independence Day

Maria Cortes Gonzalez
El Paso Times

El Pasoans have the opportunity to celebrate Mexico's Independence Day in person or virtually this year.

The biggest Mexican holiday, 16 de septiembre marks the date in 1810 when the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla urged Mexicans to rise up against the colonial government of Spain. The call, known as El Grito de Dolores, or the Cry of Dolores, is named after the town of Dolores, Mexico, where the cry was originally made.

Mexican Independence Dayin El Paso. Here's what we saw

Here are things to do to celebrate the 16 de septiembre:

Kids dance to traditional Mexican music as they await El Grito during a past 16 de septiembre celebration at the Chamizal National Memorial. El Grito de Dolores originated in the small town of Dolores near Guanajuato on Sept. 16, 1810, starting the Mexican war of independence.

The Manor: Celebrate with a virtual concert featuring mariachis and folklorico dancers. The Manor will celebrate Hispanic heritage with two events Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 15 and 16, at 1011 N. Mesa St.

The evening will start with El Grito at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, and with Juan Gabriel impersonator, Hugo Cortes. The celebration will include Mexican cuisine and drinks. Free admission. Make reservations via Eventbrite.com

The fun will continue with Noche Mexicana at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16. Information: 915-351-9727. Free. Make reservations via Eventbrite.com

Jacob Prado Gonzalez, consul general for the Mexican Consulate in El Paso, shouts "Viva Mexico" during the 16 de septiembre celebration in 2015.

Parks and Recreation: The city's Parks and Recreation Department will have a Mexican Independence Day celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at Cleveland Square, Downtown El Paso.

Guests can bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the free outdoor concert. Performers will include Mariachi Los Arrieros.

UTEP: The University of Texas at El Paso will have a celebration with El Grito at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Centennial Plaza, UTEP Campus.

Special guests will include Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de León, Cónsul General of Mexico in El Paso, and a special presentation by Escolta y Banda de Guerra of the Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Juárez.

The ceremony will close with a performance by the Mariachi Los Galleros.

Free, handheld Mexican flags will be passed out before the ceremony to the first 150 attendees, and refreshments will be available.

Mexican Consulate: The Mexican consul in El Paso is encouraging people to enjoy the virtual Mexican celebration starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, on its Facebook page. 

The celebration will include theater, singing, mariachi and ballet performances from different regions of Mexico, as well as the Grito at 6:15 p.m.

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María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @EPTMaria on Twitter.