Mexican fiestas in the United States
Many Mexican fiestas are held in the United States every year. Much of the western United States belonged to Mexico at various times and the descendants of those Mexicans carry on many of their traditional celebrations. These celebrations, called fiestas (feasts or festivals), are held on any number of religious or civic holidays. Many communities also plan local celebrations throughout the year. Most are held in the Southwest and California. Because the descendants of the original Mexicans have been Americans for several generations, many of the fiestas, especially the nonreligious ones, are a mixture of Mexican and American cultures. They may attract participants from across the whole community. The religious fiestas are generally held by the congregation of the local church but in smaller communities may involve most of the citizens. Most fiestas offer traditional Mexican food, Mexican music and dance, and may include traditional sporting events such as a charrería, or rodeo. The participants may dress in traditional Mexican dress, especially if the event is a community wide event.
FiestasFiestas Patrias (Mexican holidays)Cinco de Mayo; Many places throughout the Southwest - May 5Diez y Seis de Septiembre (Mexican Independence Day); Many places throughout the Southwest - September 16
Religious fiestasNuestra Señora de Dolores, Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows - Friday before Good FridaySemana Santa, Holy Week - Easter weekNuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12
Community fiestasCharro Days Fiesta; jointly in Brownsville, Texas, USA & Matamoras, Tamaulipas, Mexico - last week in FebruaryFiesta San Antonio; San Antonio, Texas - mid AprilLa Fiesta de San Agustín (St. Augustine Festival); Tucson, Arizona - End of August (Celebrates the founding of Tucson—Presidio de San Agustín del Tucsón''—as well as honoring the saint.)La Fiesta de los Vaqueros; Tucson, Arizona - last weekend in FebruarySanta Fe Fiesta; Santa Fe, New Mexico - beginning of September
See alsoCharroCuisine of MexicoFiestas PatriasList of festivals in the United States Music of MexicoHolidays and celebrations in MexicoMariachi
External linksFiesta San Antonio San Antonio, TexasCharro Days Fiesta Brownsville, Texas, USA & Matamoras, Tamaulipas, Mexico
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