¡Viva México! Los Cabos Set to Celebrate Mexican Independence Day
There seems to be some confusion among my gringo brethren in the United States: Many persist in believing that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day. Not true. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of the Mexican Army over occupying French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Mexican Independence Day, or Día de la Independencia, is commemorated on September 16, and in fact the whole month of September, el mes de la patria, is given over to patriotic celebrations, also known as las fiestas patrias.
Mexico’s Independence Day, or Día de la Independencia, is celebrated annually on September 16. Image: Virginiambe
It all started 203 years ago, in 1810, when a priest named Miguel Hidalgo (full name: Don Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo-Costilla y Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor) uttered his now famous Grito de Dolores, basically a cry of freedom, a call for revolution based on the belief that México must free itself from the rule of the hated Spanish colonizers. Hidalgo gave this call to arms twice: once on the evening of September 15, and again on the morning of the 16 in the small town of Dolores near Guanajuato. The subsequent rebellion led to the Mexican War of Independence, which finally ended on September 28, 1821, when new president (and later emperor) of México Agustín de Iturbide issued the fledgling country’s official Declaration of Independence from Spain.
Miguel Hidalgo’s famous Grito de Dolores was a declaratation of México’s independence from Spain.
Contemporary celebrations of Mexican Independence Day generally begin on the evening of September 15, with reenactments of the grito from the president and public officials around the country, a symbolic bell ringing, as well as live music, food and drink, and festive firework celebrations. Parades are typically the main event on Independence Day, and this traditional schedule of events is followed in Los Cabos. Official gritos will be presented in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo at 11 p.m. on September 15th. Plaza José Antonio Mijares in San José is the best place to see the grito and enjoy all the accompanying festivities, while San Lucas is the perfect place to enjoy the patriotic parade. It’s scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. on September 16th at the Pabellón Cultural de la República, and will include firefighters, Red Cross, and other civic officials, as well as charros and local schoolchildren. The parade’s route continues from the Cultural Pavilion down Marina Boulevard, merges onto Calle Lázaro Cárdenas, and finishes on Paseo del Pescador.
Visitors wishing to experience the patriotic excitement of this national holiday may also want to check out some of the “Independence” themed events scheduled at bars and restaurants this weekend. Nikki Beach Club at ME Cabo Hotel, home of the most legendary poolside scene in Cabo San Lucas, is hosting a patriotic party on Saturday, September 14, with margaritas flowing freely from noon to midnight, and beats courtesy of guest DJ Chris Fortier. Want to make a splash? Bring a red, white, and green swimsuit.
Entrants hopeful of being selected Queen of the 2013 Fiestas Patrias posed before a suitably patriotic backdrop. Image: Comunicación Cabo San Lucas
On September 15, night of grito reenactments and myriad fireworks celebrations, there are two more terrific parties on Médano Beach. Baja Cantina Beach Club, my favorite place for barefoot fine dining, is offering a traditional Mexican buffet and live mariachi music, followed by a fireworks celebration over Cabo San Lucas Bay. Baja Brewing Company, which boasts a superb rooftop location overlooking the beach and bay, is also inviting visitors to come and watch the fireworks and take part in the festivities.
Pancho’s, a popular downtown restaurant located, rather appropriately, on Calle Miguel Hidalgo, is hosting two nights of Independence-themed festivities, with live music, tequila sunrises, and margaritas on tap from 6–11 p.m. on September 15 and 16. Considering Pancho’s boasts perhaps the world’s largest collection of tequilas, this is a party you won’t want to miss. They’re even giving out free Independence Day gifts.
¡Viva México!