Diez Y Seis celebration on tap for Sept. 14-15

Cinco de Mayo is more widely celebrated in and around San Marcos but Sept. 16, “Diez Y Seis,” is actually much more important to the heritage of Mexican Americans.

That’s because it’s celebrated as Mexican Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo, in contrast, commemorates a specific battle.

In San Marcos, Diez Y Seis will again be celebrated over the course of two days. Sponsored by “Together for a Cause,” events will be held Friday, Sept. 14, and Saturday, Sept. 15.

Events kick off on Friday at 7 p.m. with a party at the City Park Rec Hall, 170 Charles Austin Drive with menudo, beer and music.

The next morning, the focus turns downtown, where a parade at 9 a.m. will feature brightly-colored floats, folkloric dancers and more. Then, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., everything moves to the vacant lot on Hunter Road adjacent to the VFW Hall where food and craft vendors, games and live music will keep attendees entertained.

The music will start at noon with La Feria, followed by Gloria Garza at 1:30 p.m.; La Danzia De Los Viejitos at 2:30 p.m.; Menudo cook-off contest winners, jalapeno-eating and accordion-playing contests and a car show on tap between 3 and 4 p.m. At 4 p.m., Conjunto Mas Tequila will take the stage, followed at 5 p.m. by Abby Duncan & Tony Olvera; and at 6:30 p.m. by Emerson Bigguns.

La Danzia De Los Viejitos returns at 7:30 p.m. followed by Conjunto Romo at 8 p.m. and Fantasias Del Valle at 9:30 p.m.

There will also be a drawing at 9:30 p.m.

Admission is free.

The mission of Together for a Cause, according to its web site, “is to perform charitable services to the residents of Hays County by providing community events and fundraising events.” Proceeds of Diez Y Seis benefit local organizations and provides scholarships to graduates of San Marcos High School.

For more, visit Together for A Cause's website.