Mexican Independence Day Parade: A Vibrant Celebration

Ximena Arceo ‘29

Loud music is coming from speakers and the smell of tacos fills the streets of New York City on a sunny afternoon. From every corner, there are families laughing and a colorful array of mariachis playing their songs. On Sept. 21, the parade celebrating Mexican Independence Day took place on Madison Avenue from 39th Street to 27th Street. Starting at 12 p.m., floats were lined up as people arrived to enjoy the parade. 

Mexicans and Latinos of all ages gathered on this important day for the community. When the parade was announced earlier this month, it raised concerns about the possibility of ICE raids happening. However, that did not stop a multitude of people from attending. Little kids waved their Mexican flags as high as they could as those who were present screamed, “Viva México.”

In a city as busy as New York, strangers bonded and smiled at each other. Mia, an attendee who was tightly holding the Mexican flag around her, said, “It's times like these where we can come together to show our love and appreciation for our culture and our people, without feeling like we are being pushed down.” Having grown up in a dominantly white neighborhood, it felt important to Mia to see more people who looked like her. She explained that with all the hardships her people were experiencing, it was nice to see the community moving forward.

For other attendees, this parade helped them reconnect with their roots and ancestry. For Óscar, a born Mexican who has lived in the United States for a couple of years, this day helps him “not forget where we came from.” 

A variety of music genres were played, from the traditional folkloric music, to the more modern songs played at parties. Relevant Mexican figures and characters were also displayed, like photos of the current president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum. Some other pop culture references were present. This includes the infamous Dr. Simi mascot from the Mexican pharmacy chain Farmacias Similares, who could be seen dancing along to the music. 

Some of the food and beverages that were being sold included tamales, elotes, churros and aguas frescas. Small businesses had the chance to promote their products in the floats, all of which showed enthusiastic families being able to share a part of who they are. Lawyers and other legal services were handing out information useful to immigrants and other individuals who might not have access to those resources.

For Lesslie, a young Mexican visiting New York for the first time, the importance of this celebration was having a place that felt like home. “There’s a sense of belonging, for the sole fact that we are all Mexicans. We have traditions that no other place has. That's wonderful, and we need to celebrate it the way Mexico knows how to.” She explained that the fear felt for being Latino doesn't take away who they are. 

During one of the toughest times to be a Latino in the United States, the main word people used to describe this day was “heartwarming.” The parade was not only a celebration of the vibrant Mexican culture, but also a reminder that no one is really alone in the community.