Salinas celebrates Mexican Independence with El Grito parade
Mexican Independence day is coming up on Tuesday, but the party started this weekend in Salinas with the 25th annual El Grito parade.
El Grito is about more than just Mexican Independence.
"Right now with all this stuff going around, the news, all the negativity, once in a while, you know, it's just it's nice to come out and just enjoy ourselves, you know, express or, our love to the culture," said Adam Gomez, President of Tradicion Por Siempre, the nonprofit behind the celebrations.
Among the couple hundred people involved in the parade, many were honored to fly the Mexican flag alongside the American.
“It’s just in your blood, you should be proud of who you are and proud of your roots and everything,” said Obed Molina.
One thread in the rich fabric of Mexican heritage is Aztec - or as it’s traditionally known - Mexica culture.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from in Mexico, your culture started off somewhere, and this is where it started off, before the Spanish came and kind of integrated themselves. So it’s good to go back to where we came from, go back to our roots, connect to that positivity and that vibe, and just make sure it doesn’t die. Because if we don’t do it, nobody else is going to do it,” said Juan Carlos with In Ixtli In Yolot
Juan Carlos told me about his semi-traditional feathered outfit.
“Every outfit represents something different. So this I connect to air and water. And so I want to flow through the parade today and have that type of energy,” he said.
He also showed off traditional drums and musical anklets.
The parade made its way down Alisal and Market streets in southeast Salinas.
The organizers said they are intentional about bringing the celebration to low income areas of the community and providing a completely free event.
“All the field workers, you know, hard labor workers, you know, it feels like they don't get a lot in return. And I feel like this is the very least we could do as a community,” Gomez.
El Grito celebrations continue Sunday from 3 to 6 on Alisal street with Lucha Libre wrestling, Folklorico dance, and a whole lot more for families to enjoy.
