¡Viva México!- Fiestas Patrias en San Francisco

It’s been about 166 years since Californios marked today as Independence Day, but today the juggernaut of pyrotechnics, tri-coloured faces, epic spreads and booze, booze, and more booze has already started for six countries in the Americas (Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, 15^th; México, 16^th).

Although México’s is technically tomorrow the partying is well under way and will crescendo at midnight with the Grito de Dolores.  Read Remezcla’s history run-down (hint: it may have something to do with the statue and bell in the park) and check out their other recommendations.

If you want to join in on the bandwagon here in Alta California, there be more and more going on every year:

The Mexican Consulate will be holding their annual ceremony in our very own zocalo with the festivities starting at 7 pm.  They don’t shout the grito and ring the bell from the City Hall balcony, which lacks the drama you’d get further south, but there is usually a pretty good crowd and lots of vendors selling plenty of grub and party-on-the-go-needs.

Up until this point the city hasn’t ever held a parade- maybe those Yerba Buena days notwithstanding.  The San Francisco Low-Rider Council thought that should change and will be holding their 1^st Annual Mexican Independence Day Cruise starting at the Mission Street Bridge in the Excelsior and going all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf.

If you’re feeling like you spent the night in a cement mixer on the 16^th, drop in for Mexico’s national dish, chiles en nogada, at the economic palace of goodness known as La Torta Gorda.  All the omega-3s and antioxidants will cure you enough to feel somewhat human enough to take in all the family fun at the Mexican Museum’s free exhibit day.

We couldn’t find any other parties for the other countries celebrating today in the city, but if you got any leads, be sure to give us a shout!

El Grito
September 15, 2012 @ 7:00 pm
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (btw McAllister & Grove)
[Civic Center]
SF

1^st Annual Mexican Independence Day Cruise
September 15, 2012 @ 3:00 pm
Mission Street Bridge (@ Silver)
[Excelsior]
SF

Family Sundays
The Mexican Museum
Fort Mason, Building D
[Marina]
SF

La Torta Gorda
2833 24^th Street (@ Bryant)
[Inner Mission]
SF