My wife and I have been to a lot of Chula Vista community events over the years, but the Chula Vista El Grito celebration at Memorial Park on Sunday might be one of my favorites. The city kicked off Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations early, and the whole South Bay came out to celebrate together.
The evening opened with local singer Mercedes Gonzales performing the national anthem. She’s become a regular at these events, and she brings it every year. You could tell how much it meant to her to be part of the celebration.
Between the music, we wandered through the vendor market. There was no shortage of food, sweets, and drinks, plus a solid lineup of craft vendors if you wanted to bring something home besides a full stomach. We grabbed a pizza from OI Pizzeria – Osteria Italiana, and it did not disappoint.
Dancers from Southwestern College put on a Ballet Folklórico performance that stole the show for a while, moving through traditional dances from regions across Mexico, including Jalisco and Veracruz. Dancer Berenice Rubio said she was proud to represent her culture through the performance, and it showed in every step.
One standout moment of the night was a military band that traveled from Tijuana to perform honors and accompany the presentation of the Mexican flag. My wife and I were happy to see them back this year. They didn’t make it out for the celebration last year, so having them return added something special to the ceremony.
A representative from the Mexican Consulate then led the crowd through the traditional Grito de Independencia, with everyone joining in on the iconic “¡Viva México!” Mariachi Internacional San Diego took the stage next, backing Cecy Millán for her set, and Maestro Manuel Vera, an internationally renowned opera singer, closed out the night with his performance. Millán’s set was nice, but if I’m being honest, I was hoping for something with a little more energy to get the crowd up and dancing. Last year Tapy Quintero played, and that was a party from start to finish. Hoping he makes his way back for next year’s celebration.
Sunday’s celebration also marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through October 15. Events like this are exactly why I love living here. Chula Vista gives its community so many free ways to come together, celebrate culture, and just have a good time doing it.
