This past weekend, Downtown Oxnard burst into a vibrant display of red, white, and green as Mexican flags and festive decorations adorned the streets, transforming the city into a festive atmosphere ahead of the Fiestas Patrias celebration, which Radio La “M” organized. The festivities included a parade, the ceremonial “Cry for Independence,” and live music that echoed through the streets. Attendees enjoyed a rich array of traditional foods, while vendors and information booths created a lively marketplace, offering everything from handcrafted goods to essential community resources.
Oxnard Police Sergeant Mike Gens estimated that approximately 3,000 people attended the parade. Among the crowd was José Ramirez, a spectator from Guanajuato, who arrived early to secure a prime viewing spot along C Street, where the parade would later unfold. “I look forward to this festival every year. It brings back memories of the celebrations from home,” Ramirez said to VIDA Newspaper, reflecting the deep nostalgia and connection many in attendance felt.
Moments before the parade, families filled the bustling downtown streets, many dressed in vibrant traditional Mexican attire, while some sat patiently, phones in hand, eagerly awaiting the parade’s start. Among them was Anselmo Aladino from Guerrero, who watched live coverage of the festivities in Mexico on his phone. Reflecting on the day’s significance, Aladino said to VIDA Newspaper, “Today we celebrate 214 years of Mexico’s independence, a legacy we owe to our parents and grandparents who fought for our freedom. Our responsibility, as their children, grandchildren, and future generations, is to keep that spirit alive and continue celebrating our independence.”
Fiestas Patrias celebrates Mexico’s Independence Day on September 16th. This day marks the historic moment in 1810 when priest Miguel Hidalgo issued the “Cry for Independence,” a passionate call for Mexicans to rise against Spanish colonial rule. Hidalgo’s cry for independence ignited a revolution that would eventually lead to Mexico’s freedom, and it is this moment of national pride that is honored not only in Mexico but in communities around the world. In Oxnard, the celebrations began earlier in the month, kicking off on September 6th with the 2nd Annual Señorita Fiestas Patrias, hosted by the West Coast Cultural Arts (WCCA).
“As they say, it’s when we’re far from our homeland that we feel the deepest passion for Mexico,” Radio La “M” host Salvador “Chava” Vaca declared, his voice carrying over a sea of spectators. His words resonated with the crowd just moments before he welcomed local dignitaries to join Mexican Consul Ricardo Santana Velázquez on stage for the highly anticipated “Cry of Independence.” In a moving tribute to Oxnard’s working-class families, Consul Santana Velázquez personalized the traditional “Cry for Independence,” paying special homage to the community’s migrant agricultural workers. His voice rang out:
Mexicans of Oxnard!
Long live Miguel Hidalgo!
Long live Morelos!
Long live Allende!
Long live Aldama!
Long live the heroes who gave us our homeland!
Long live the Mexican migrant workers!
Long live the Mexican farmworkers!
Mexicans of Oxnard!
Long live Mexico!
With each proclamation, the crowd roared in response, united in pride and gratitude for the generations of workers whose contributions continue to be essential to both Mexico and the United States.