Families and onlookers walked and biked to enjoy the Festival for Unity on Sept. 17, a day that honored the independence of all Latin-American countries.
The festival included a disc jockey; the Danza Azteca Tlaloc, who performed Aztec tribal dances; the Groupo Folklorico Nueva Alianza and many other features. Authentic Mexican food such as tostadas, tamales and tacos were served. Jewelry, clothing and CDs from Mexico were being sold.
Dr. Enrique Maestas, an ethnic studies professor, sold traditional Aztec tribal clothing and books and CDs describing the history of the American-Indians and the Aztecs. He brought scarves from Ecuador and headpieces from Mexico to show spectators the differences and similarities of varying cultures.
“People (at the festival) have a lot of common history,” Maestas said.
Mario Jose Olvera sold clothing, jewelry, textbooks, and hand puppets at the Festival for Unity.
“There’s a lot of different kinds of Latinos here,” said Olvera. “There are South Americans here, Central Americans here, Mexicans. We all have different cultures and different ways–very similar and yet we’re all different.”
Women and men were dressed in traditional Spanish attire to celebrate.
Sept. 16, El Grito do Independincia celebrates Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule.
