October 2, 2023
1 min read

Fiestas Patrias, a time for gathering and celebration

The first Fiestas Patrias in Santa Ana was in the late 1970s on DTSA’s historic 4th Street. Photo by Geovanni Esparza / el Don

Hundreds of people flooded Downtown Santa Ana Saturday Sept.15, waving Mexican flags and yelling,“Viva México!”

The prideful moment was a part of El Grito de Independencia, “The Cry of Independence” to celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810. 

The 43rd annual Fiestas Patrias brought a carnival, food trucks, live performances, mechanical rides and carnival games.

A large stage was filled with ballet folklórico, mariachi and celebrities like Los Marlins de Tierra Caliente, Marilyn Odessa, and A.B Quintanilla III performed with Kumbia All Starz. 

The crowd in front of the stage danced while the DJ encouraged the crowd to make enough noise for so that the whole city to hear. In between performances, the crowd was divided in two and told to yell “Viva México” louder than the other.

The first Fiestas Patrias in Santa Ana was in the late 1970s on DTSA’s historic 4th Street.

Mayor Valeria Amezcua and Sahuayo Municipal President Dr. Manuel Galvez Sanchez during El Grito. Photo by Geovanni Esparza / el Don
Vendors sold artisanal jewelry and clothing. Photo by Geovanni Esparza / el Don
Hundreds of people flooded Downtown Santa Ana Saturday Sept.15, waving Mexican flags and yelling,“Viva México!” Photo by Geovanni Esparza / el Don
Families gathered around the carnival games and mechanical rides. Photo by Geovanni Esparza / el Don
A.B Quintanilla III performed with Kumbia All Starz on Sept. 16. Photo by Geovanni Esparza / el Don
Water refill station in the JSC : Photo by Caden Cooke
Previous Story

24 water refill stations are now on campus

Next Story

Soulja Boy tell ‘em how the show went

Latest from Blog

Baseball – 20110308 – Fullerton

Author Recent Posts Jessica Avila Latest posts by Jessica Avila (see all) New Santa Ana housing unattainable to most - October 23, 2023 Fiestas Patrias, a time for gathering and celebration -

SAC student thoughts post election

Donald Trump won the 2024 election and will be our 47th president. After asking over 35 SAC students how they felt about the election results, some responded that they were upset, some
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Two workers sorting ballots at the voting center

IN PHOTOS: Here’s how vote-by-mail ballots are counted in Orange County

For the past two weeks, el Don has been going
a ballot box with an American flag decal

A breakdown of Santa Ana’s four city ballot measures

City ballot measures give Santa Ana voters a direct say