LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Hispanic Heritage Month began today, and the celebration in Las Vegas started with one of Mexico’s most important traditions. The Consulate of Mexico invited the community to come together tonight for “El Grito.”
Las Vegas is home to one of the largest Latino communities in Nevada. The Mexican Consulate expected families from across the valley to attend.
Independence Day celebration downtown
The Grito celebration is part of a night of Mexican pride in downtown Las Vegas. The city and the Consulate of Mexico teamed up for this year’s Independence Day celebration at the Las Vegas Civic Center.
“We will have, first of all, a lot of mariachis and, of course, ballets. But also we have the ceremony of the grito, which is very emotional,” said Head Consul Patricia Cortez Guadarrama.
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The ceremony of El Grito
Cortez Guadarrama said the night leads up to the ceremony of El Grito.
“Well, it reminds us of who we are and where we come from. I don’t know a Mexican that has not cried while, you know, singing their national anthem. Be it at a grito ceremony or football matches or, you know, it is just a moment to remind us of, you know, what Mexico is, that we’re part of that,” Cortez Guadarrama said.
Before that moment, Cortez Guadarrama said there is a lot to celebrate.
“Food, of course. We have several food trucks, paletas con chas raspados, tacos, of course,” Cortez Guadarrama said.
Celebration coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month
This year’s celebration falls on the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month.
“It’s worth it because the community is worth it. You know, it is a moment for us to come together and to be proud of who we are. To remember also and celebrate our traditions, but also our families back home,” Cortez Guadarrama said.
The consul said tonight is also about keeping the El Grito tradition alive for the next generation.
The celebration is underway now at the Las Vegas Civic Center. The Grito ceremony takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night.
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