Downtown Fresno’s Fiestas Patrias on Sunday among several Hispanic Heritage Month events
Hispanic Heritage Month commemorating independence from Spain and Portugal for countries in Latin America is here and with that many celebrations to celebrate heritage and culture throughout the Valley through Oct. 15.
In Fresno, which is home to more than 250,000 Latinos within the city, you might have seen that papel picado strung up throughout downtown as the residents get ready to celebrate Fiestas Patrias on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Mariposa Plaza on Fulton Street. The first Fiestas Patrias celebration was held in Fresno in 1941, but there was a break from 1999 until last year.
This year’s festivities – hosted by Downtown Fresno Partnership, Fresno City Council District 3 Miguel Arias and Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation – will start with a parade at 11 a.m. at the corner of Fulton and Inyo streets going down Fulton Street and ending at Tuolumne Street.
The festival, which includes food trucks, kid’s area, vendors, a beer garden from Tulare to Fresno streets for people to walk with their drinks within those two downtown blocks and music performances from Lorenzo de Monteclaro, Banda Rancho Viejo, Mariachi Tenochtitlan among others from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
According to Marissa Arreguán, event coordinator for Downtown Fresno Partnership, about 30 groups will take part in the parade this year. Folklórico groups, organizations and school bands will join the parade.
“It’s definitely important to, you know, keep celebrating the culture and the people that we have here downtown. A lot of other cities, you know, continue to do this each year and with our big you know Hispanic community that we have, we feel it’s important to not only keep doing it but elevating it in every way that we can for the Fiestas Patrias,” Arreguín said.
“This year, you know, we really tried to add more elements and liven it up from last year and then each year we’ll, you know, continue to do the same to you know, honor our culture and our community,” Arreguín said.
“It’s going to be a great time for the family. I highly recommend everyone to come out. We’ll have some nice decorations, good music and lots of good vendors to come out and see,” Arreguín said.
Other events around the Valley
▪ Guelaguetza Fresno by Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indigena Oaxaqueño, Sunday, Sept. 24, at Calwa Park (4545 E. Church Ave, Fresno), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $10 (children under 12 enter for free). There will be folkloric dances, live music, and traditional food. The Guelaguetza is the maximum expression of the Oaxacan people.
▪ Jaripeo and dance, Sunday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. C&S Event Center (13851 Ave 412, Orosi) Tickets at Ticketon.com
▪ Guelaguetza from Oaxaca to California, by Centro de Unidad Popular Benito Juárez, Inc, Sunday, Oct. 1, Lamont Park (8304 Segrue Road, Lamont), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission free. Dances, culture, gastronomy and Oaxacan crafts. Info. www.unidadpopular.org
▪ International Heritage Festival-The Ultimate Trip Around the Word, Saturday, Oct. 7 at Graceada Park (401 Needham St., Modesto). Admission is free. The event will include kids, crafts, heritage booths, music and dance.
▪ Guelaguetza Madera by Comité Guelaguetza Madera, Sunday, Oct. 8 at Sunrise Rotary Sports Complex (1901 Clinton Street, Madera), 11 a.m. to 5 pm. Admission is Free. There will be traditional food, dance and music. Open to the entire community of Madera and its surroundings.
Fiestas Patrias returns to downtown Fresno with its vibrant music, dances
