Car parades, live music, carnival: Mexican Independence Day in Milwaukee
With Mexican Independence Day a week away, Milwaukee has a full day of celebrations slated for this weekend.
United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS), a non-profit organization working to serve migrant workers, will host its annual Mexican Independence Day festival and parade on Sunday.
The event is free to attend for all, whether you decide to cheer on a leg of the parade or spend the afternoon enjoying food and music at the festival. Here's everything you need to know about Mexican Independence Day celebrations in Milwaukee.
When is Mexican Independence Day?
Mexican Independence Day commemorates the beginning of Mexico's fight for independence from Spain more than two centuries ago.
On Sept. 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, summoned his congregation and rallied them to take up arms for Mexico's independence, according to the Library of Congress. As he rang his church bell, Hidalgo delivered a battle cry that is now known as the El Grito de Dolores, or "Cry of Dolores," and has cemented the September day as the start of the Mexican War for Independence.
A little over a decade later, Mexico finally won its independence from Spain on Aug. 24, 1821.
Though Mexican Independence Day is officially Sept. 16, celebrations in Milwaukee will take place on Sunday, Sept. 15.
When and where is the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Milwaukee?
The parade will kick off the day's festivities at 10:00 a.m. on Sept. 15. Along with plenty of soaring Mexican flags, it will feature car clubs, floats, horses and bands, according to the UMOS website.
The parade route begins at South 20th Street and West Oklahoma Avenue, runs east toward South 6th Street, turns north on South 6th Street to West Rosedale Avenue, and then turns east on West Rosedale Avenue to end at the UMOS headquarters on South Chase Avenue.
When and where is the Mexican Independence Day Festival in Milwaukee?
The festival will be held at the UMOS headquarters, at 2701 S. Chase Ave. The all-day event will start up after the parade, running from noon to 8:00 p.m. on Sept. 15.
How to get involved in the Mexican Independence Day Festival
The festival is free to attend and will feature live music, food vendors, carnival attractions and community resources.
Applications to march in the parade, be a merchandise or food vendor, or run a community resource booth are still open on the UMOS website.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mexican Independence Day in Milwaukee: festival, parade, time, date
