Horses prance and Mexican dancers swish their colorful dresses during Fiestas Patrias events as Coloradans celebrate independence for Mexico and other Latin American countries during Hispanic Heritage Month.
“It’s like a family reunion, like we’re back in Mexico. There’s such a great sense of community,” said Claudia Navarro Martinez, who loves attending the annual Fiestas Patrias celebration in Colorado Springs.
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place each year in the U.S. from September 15 to October 15.
The celebrations commemorate independence movements that took place in the 1800s as people in Mexico and Central and South America fought for freedom from colonial oppressors in Spain and Portugal.
Key Independence Day celebrations during Hispanic Heritage Month include:
September 15: The day when people in countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate their independence from Spain.
September 16: The day when people from Mexico celebrate the beginning of their fight for independence from Spain. On September 16, 1810, a Mexican Catholic priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla encouraged parishioners in Dolores, Guanajuato, Mexico to rise up and break free from Spanish rule. He became known as the “father of Mexican independence.” Colonial authorities executed Hidalgo, so he did not live to see independence from Spain, which officially came years later on August 24, 1821. Celebrations on September 16 often begin with cries for freedom: “Mexicanos, viva México!” as people remember and honor Hidalgo’s sacrifices.
September 18: The day when people in Chile celebrate their independence from Spain.
People from other Latin American countries mark their independence celebrations on other days outside of Hispanic Heritage Month, including:
- July 5: Venezuelans celebrate independence from Spain.
- July 20: Colombians mark their independence from Spain.
- September 7: Brazilians celebrate their independence from Portugal.
- November 3: Panamanians celebrate their independence from Spain.
Colorado Fiestas Patrias celebrations take place in Colorado Springs and Aurora
In Colorado, Fiestas Patrias events will take place this year just before Hispanic Heritage Month officially begins.
The celebrations are free and feature musical performances, food and fun.
The southern Colorado Fiestas Patrias celebration takes place on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Colorado Springs Flea Market, 5225 E. Platte Ave.
The Denver-area Fiestas Patrias celebration takes place on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Plaza Colorado, 15200 E. Colfax Ave. in Aurora.