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

Say Boo to Labubus

My Christmas edition Sonny Angel sits on my desk, staring at me with its signature innocent glare. When I’m at home, I look over at my sister’s vanity table where she has

In Photos: OC Japan Fair

One of the biggest Japanese events in Orange County was held at the OC Fairgrounds from April 4-6. At this event, a variety of staple Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese foods were sold,

A Minecraft Movie is dumb fun

In my packed cinema, people were whooping and hollering as the most anticipated film of the year so far was playing on the screen. Popcorn was thrown in the air like confetti,

Bats get hot as Dons roll past Bobcats

Santa Ana College closed out its series against Saddleback College with an emphatic 13-4 win on Saturday afternoon. This ended a five-game skid for the Dons, in which they previously lost three
Go toTop

Don't Miss

The Nobödy’s are bringing back Santa Ana’s music culture one intersection at a time

Clink. CLANK. Kaboom! Sitting in traffic at the corner of

Welcome back! Here’s what to know about parking, food and more

Parking By Lizett Gallo Finding parking is difficult again at