Thousands of puertopeñasquenses gathered in front of City Hall on the night of September 15th to hear Mayor Gerardo Figueroa Zazueta give the traditional Independence Day “grito”, commemorating the 204th anniversary of the launch of struggles for Mexico’s independence.
During the celebration, the Mayor was accompanied by his wife Rafaela Félix de Figueroa and his daughter Fernanda, as well as by the State Director of Tourism Promotion (COFETUR) Javier Tapia Camou, Rear Admiral from the Naval Sector Luis Felipe López Castro, City Trustee Herme Damián Velázquez López, and City Secretary Oscar Villavicencio Lübbert.
For a second consecutive year, the reenactment of the Independence heroes was marked by a torch march, with the homeland torch in the hands of our own World Flyweight WBO/WBA Boxing Champion Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada.
Following this, members from the Honor Guard and Band of the Naval Sector presented the national flag to Mayor Figueroa who, after respectfully receiving it, walked to the balcony of City Hall and led thousands in attendance in the national anthem.
Municipal Secretary Oscar Villavicencio Lübbert then read the Act of Mexican Independence, noting the heroic deed bore fruit and the country was able to come out from under the oppression at that time.
From the central balcony, decorated with an eagle brightly lit in Mexico’s patriotic colors, the Mayor waved the flag and then cried out the traditional words, calling to mind the Independence heroes.
“Mexicanos: ¡Viva la independencia Nacional!, ¡Viva los héroes que nos dieron patria! ¡Vivan los héroes que nos dieron patria y libertad!, ¡Viva Hidalgo!, ¡Viva Morelos!, ¡Viva Allende!, ¡Viva Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez!, ¡Viva Aldama!, ¡Viva Guerrero!, ¡Viva Puerto Peñasco!, ¡Viva Sonora!, ¡Viva México!, ¡Viva México!, ¡Viva México” – the Mayor exclaimed as he rang the bell.
Once the official ceremony was complete, everyone admired a spectacular fireworks display, and the burning of the traditional “castle.” All in attendance enjoyed the traditional community fiesta in front of City Hall, which was enriched with live music and presentations by various artists.
Mayoral Address – September 16th
On September 16th, Mexican Independence Day, Mayor Figueroa will present his annual State of the City Address – first at noon to representatives from the State Government and invited guests, then at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Blvd. Juarez and Calle 13 (weather permitting).