Wave Staff Report
EAST LOS ANGELES — The 78th annual Mexican Independence Day Parade and Festival will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 15 with iconic Mexican wrestler El Hijo del Santo as grand marshal and Diana Zermeño as co-grand marshal.
The longest-running parade of its kind in the country will begin Cesar E. Chavez Avenue at Mednik Avenue and proceed west until to Record Avenue. The celebration will continue with music, entertainment, a fair, food stalls and fun for the whole family on Mednik Avenue between César E. Chávez Avenue and First Street.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Mexican Heritage.” El Hijo del Santo is a masked wrestler who has upheld his father’s legacy for more than 42 years, achieving championship victories along the way.
Diana Zermeño voices Dora in the new preschool animated series “Dora and the Fantastical Creatures,” which airs on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon.
This year, the parade’s godmother and godfather will be Carla Estrada and Alfonso Arau, both important directors in film and television.
Estrada is a renowned Mexican television producer, specializing in telenovelas. Her work has been broadcast in more than 100 countries and translated into more than 20 languages.
Arau began his career as a comedian alongside actor Sergio Corona. He also worked as a dancer in several films and was part of the rock and roll movement in the 60s. He has been honored with the Ariel Award six times, won a Silver Goddess Award, and received a Golden Globe nomination.
Actress and singer Lilia Guízar is a special guest in this year’s parade. She has had a long and successful career as an actress as part of the golden age of Mexican cinema.
Other guests in the parade are Castulo de la Rocha, president and CEO of AltaMed Health Services; singer Antonio Zamora, broadcaster and media personality Ysaac Álvarez and many elected officials and other dignitaries.
The parade is produced by the Mexican Civic Patriotic Committee, which is celebrating 93 years in Los Angeles.
The parade will be broadcast live on ABC Channel 7 from 10 a.m. to noon.
