FELLSMERE — ¡Viva México! The colors green, white and red festooned vehicles, people and even horses as a parade celebrating Mexican Independence Day wound its way through the streets of Fellsmere, Sept. 15.
The parade, sponsored by Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, contained more than 20 vehicles and horses, adorned with Mexican flags, colored streamers, balloons and culturally-themed banners.
As families gathered to see the colorful parade making its way down Massachusetts Ave., parents urged youngsters to collect candies being thrown from floats to spectators.
After six years of hosting Mexican Independence Day celebrations, organizer Friar Ducasse Francois said he is truly grateful for the continued success of the event.
“As a church, we want our community to know their roots and traditions,” Francois said. “The parade brings out families.”
Fellsmere has a significant Hispanic population, mostly of Mexican ancestry, he said.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission is located on seven acres of land owned by the Palm Beach Diocese of the Catholic Church. A majority of parishioners are Mexican farmworkers who are employed in the citrus, agricultural or dairy industries. With more than 450 registered families, the mission makes up a large percentage of the city’s 5,200-person population.
“It’s a good thing to find a place where they are welcome,” Francois said. “We’re strengthening their faith and helping celebrate the heritage.”
Non-Hispanic community members also come out to support and appreciate the parade and other events, he said.
“The city (of Fellsmere) shows a lot of support,” Francois said. “We collaborate with the city very well.”
More than 2,000 people are expected to take part in the parade, food and merchandise booths, live music and other special events, he said.
“Basically, for Mexico, this is the most important holiday of our country’s history,” Francois said. “This is bigger for us than ‘Cinco de Mayo.’”
It’s only fitting that Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission organizes and host the celebratory events each year, he said.
“Mexico’s independence is directly tied to the church,” Francois said.
The bid for Mexican independence from Spain began September 16th, 1810, when priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, from Dolores, Guanajuato, rang the church bell to summon the town’s people and stir them to revolution.
The ensuing 11-year struggle created the modern day republic and every year, Mexicans and those of Mexican heritage celebrate the birth of a nation.