El Centro Celebrates Hispanic Culture with “Viva La Fiesta”
EL CENTRO— The City of El Centro hosted “Viva La Fiesta,” a vibrant celebration of Hispanic community and culture, at Bucklin Park on Friday, Sept. 18. This lively event occurred just two days after Mexico’s Independence Day, showcasing the rich traditions and values of the community.
The fiesta featured live mariachi music and baile folklorico dancers, creating a festive atmosphere. The city collaborated with the Mexican Consulate in Calexico to organize the event, which attracted families and residents eager to enjoy the celebration.
Local vendors participated by offering a variety of food, drinks, crafts, and other goods, enabling attendees to support small businesses. One of the vendors, Bethany Garcia, represented her family’s mobile coffee cart, El Frijol Kafeinado, which was established in 2025. She introduced a new fall menu item featuring a horchata drink topped with pumpkin foam. Garcia appreciated the affordability of participating in city events: “They keep it low cost. Most of the time, we’re not paying big fees on top of county fees.”
Another booth was run by Memo Gonzalez and Ursula Santiago, who represented the nonprofit organization Border Kindness. They provided free socks and makeup donated to the organization, which supports asylum seekers and local refugees. Santiago emphasized the dual purpose of their booth: to distribute items and raise awareness about their community efforts.
The celebrations were complemented by traditional music and dance performances that highlighted Mexican culture. Consul Rocio Vazquez spoke about the community’s unity and the importance of such events in strengthening family ties and cultural connections. She encouraged attendees to cherish these experiences with their families and to remain connected to their heritage.
Vazquez also promoted upcoming cultural events in the Imperial Valley, including the IV Symphony’s concert, “An Evening with Arturo Marquez,” scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Jimmie Cannon Theater at Southwest High School in El Centro. This concert will honor the vibrant, rhythmic, and Mexican-inspired works of the internationally acclaimed composer.
“Viva La Fiesta” successfully fostered a sense of community, celebrating heritage and supporting local businesses, while encouraging families to come together and enjoy the rich cultural landscape of El Centro.
