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San Manuel Miner
The Fiestas Patrias commemorates the Grito de Dolores (the Cry of Dolores), which was the event that marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain.
On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla a Roman Catholic priest in the small town of Dolores ordered the church bells rung and when the parishioners were gathered, he encouraged them to revolt. Four days later the town of Guanajuato was taken by a makeshift army led by Hidalgo beginning the revolt that would lead to independence. Hidalgo was captured in July and executed.
The Fiestas Patrias is celebrated throughout Mexico and in the United States of America in areas with large populations of people of Mexican heritage. In the Town of Mammoth and the Tri-Community, the celebration has been an annual event. At one time the Fiesta Patrias was a huge event in Mammoth. According to aSan Manuel Minernewspaper in 1962, the event was a three day celebration and they were expecting 15,000 visitors to attend. There was a large parade, sky divers, music, dances, food, entertainment, baseball and softball games. Delegates from the Mexican Consulate attended as did many local politicians. People from around the state and Mexico would attend.
Although the event has dwindled in size the spirit of the celebration continues on. This year’s Fiesta will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Mammoth. Blessed Sacrament is located just off Hwy. 77. For more information, please contact the church at (520) 487-2451.
Traditional Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. and the Fiesta with all the food and wonderful entertainment beginning at 3:30 p.m.
• Ballet Folklorico Del Sol 3:30-4 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.
• Mariachi Genero Moreno 4-5 p.m.
• Mariachis Corazon de Tucson 6-8 p.m.
• Live Music by Gemini 8 p.m. to midnight.
There will be great food and plenty of games to keep all entertained.
The event is open to the public.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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