Fiesta kicks off celebration of Mexican Independence Day

Jorge Elias trained his cellphone camera on the colorful Aztec dancers Saturday as they worked up a sweat in the blazing sun.

Clad in bright feather headdresses and beads, the dozen men and women hopped and twirled to a steady drum beat before rushing into the crowd and encircling onlookers.

“I’m pretty excited right now,” said Elias, a Santa Rosa business owner. “Because it’s part of my culture. I brought my family so they get to know our traditions.”

Elias was one of an expected 2,500 people to attend the fifth annual Fiesta de Independencia at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts.

The free event was a showcase for Mexican music, art and food timed to Mexican Independence Day, which is Tuesday.

It featured ballet folklorico performers, a roaming mariachi band, bachata and salsa dancing, as well as a performance by the Aztec-themed group, Xantotl.

The group’s leader, Omar Gallardo, said temperatures in the upper 80s made for a toasty session.

“It’s a warm atmos- phere,” he said, his body glistening after the performance. “It’s not just the weather. It’s the people who are here.”

The fiesta had two key changes this year - it was held outside and included a lowrider car show.

But otherwise it had all of last year’s favorites, including hand-patted pupusas from El Salvador, ceviche and other Mexican foods. The fiesta concluded with a salsa-making contest, which was won by Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant.

“I like the mixture of crab and shrimp,” said Leo Leon of Santa Rosa as he loaded up on ceviche. “I haven’t had it in a while.”

Rows of gleaming lowriders, including a major contingent of Chevy Impalas, drew enthusiasts of all ages. Gabe Cruz’s ’65 Impala won the People’s Choice award.

Little John Valdez of Santa Rosa said low-?riders were a strong part of a Mexican American culture, borne of a desire for countercultural self-expression and a need for cheap transportation. He recalled restoring “throw-away” cars into pieces of rolling art.

“That’s what we could afford,” said Valdez, who sat beside his black ’63 Chevy convertible. “We just started fixing them up.”

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com.