Fort Valley hosting 4th annual Mexican Independence Day festival featuring music, dance, quinceañera, and community unity Friday night.
FORT VALLEY, Ga. — While many cities across the country have canceled or postponed Mexican Independence Day celebrations this year amid heightened immigration enforcement, Fort Valley is moving forward with its annual festival.
Enrique Fuentes said the event is a vital opportunity to honor heritage and bring people together.
“When it comes to the Mexican community, we have a very big Mexican community in Fort Valley,” Fuentes said. “I think it’s important that they understand how we celebrate our heritage. For them to open this space to the community speaks volumes.”
The festival, now in its fourth year, will take place Friday, Sept. 12, featuring traditional Mexican food, live music, dancers, and cultural ceremonies including the quinceañera — a celebration of a young woman’s transition from childhood to womanhood.
In addition to the quinceañera, he said festivalgoers can expect performances by traditional dancers from various Mexican states, local band Banda Santa Cecilia, which includes 15 or more members, and singer Delta Hernandez. Fuentes said music and dancing is a vibrant expression of Mexican culture.
“The cool thing about this event is that even if you’re from a different part of the world, we all connect through music and food,” Fuentes said. “This festival is going to bring music and food at the same time.”
Fuentes said the festival stands out nationally this year as many other communities have canceled celebrations due to fears and tensions around immigration enforcement, adding Fort Valley’s decision to continue the event sends a message of unity.
“Fort Valley is sending a message — unity always wins,” Fuentes said.
He said this event will welcome all.
“My hope is that people understand no matter our backgrounds… we’re all in this together,” Fuentes said.
As the event kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month in Georgia, Fuentes said Fort Valley is setting a positive tone. “It sends a message to the state to embrace all Latin American communities,” he said. “These festivals make people feel welcome.”
The Mexican Independence Day celebration in downtown Fort Valley is this Friday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
