Photos: Redwood City was the hot spot for Mexican Independence Day on the Peninsula

by THE SIX FIFTY staff September 18, 2018 879 Views

Now in its 11th year on the courthouse square, the Fiestas Patrias is a lively local celebration of Mexican heritage.

Photos by Adam Pardee and Danny Acosta

Members of the traditional Ballet Folklorico—dressed to impress. (Photo by Danny Acosta)

Courthouse Square in Redwood City hosted their 11th annual Fiestas Patrias (Spanish for “homeland party”) to commemorate 207 years of Mexican Independence, on Sunday September 16. For five hours from afternoon to nightfall, Peninsula residents descended upon the downtown theatre district for a festive blend of food, drinks, music and dancing.

The mariachi group Mexicanisimo. (Photo by Danny Acosta)

There were the usual suspects on the food front — street tacos and bacon wrapped hot dogs, though it wouldn’t be the Bay Area without some fusion. The Tierra Blanca food truck specializes in sushi showcasing Mexican ingredients, and their mariscos (seafood) include a Sinaloa specialty that’s a rare find—marlin. (Spoiler alert: marlin tacos are legit.) Of course, on a nice, sunny day, there were palteros (popsicle and ice cream vendors) too.

The big turnout of attendees filled the streets and packed the performance tent where dance groups and music acts entertained. Festival-goers wore everything from traditional Mexican outfits seen in a plazita to the Mexican soccer team’s national jerseys, flags, and any and all of the Bay Area’s sports jerseys. There was even a Chihuahua walking around in a custom made outfit by her owner, complete with sombrero.

The mariachi music by Mexicanisimo and traditional Ballet Folklorico dancing lead up to the star attraction, El Grito, a throwback celebratory cry that rang in Mexican independence centuries ago.

The Six Fifty had its photographers amongst the action…take a look…

Top to bottom: Mexican flags flew high as hundreds of people celebrated Mexico’s Independence with all things green, white and red in Downtown Redwood City. Children performed dance routines while traditional Mexican music was played to the large audience and other visitors in Downtown Redwood City. Hamilton Street swarmed with people tasting the traditional Mexican food and shopping for clothes, trinkets and jewelry at the vendors. (Photos by Adam Pardee)

Vendors sold sugar skulls, t-shirts, sarapes (traditional blanket shawls), jewelry, beads, hand drums, toys, and so much more on Hamilton Street in Downtown Redwood City. (Photos by Adam Pardee and Danny Acosta)

Clockwise from top: Musicians of all ages performed songs and dances; A Chihuahua in her custom outfit for the celebration; A group of girls sing down the line; The marquee at the FOX Theatre gave a shout-out to Mexican Independence; (Photos by Danny Acosta)

The mariachis Mexicanisimo commence their performance with a respectful tip of the sombrero. (Photo by Danny Acosta)

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