Mexican Independence Day celebrations kick off this evening in Mérida’s Centro.
Yucatán’s state police announced that security protocols will be implemented during the festivities.
To make way for the traditional Independence Day parade, starting Friday at 7 a.m. Calle 60 will be closed to traffic from 59 to 63 and Calle 61 from 58 to 62.
Streets surrounding the Plaza Grande will remain closed to traffic until Saturday morning.
Just before the stroke of midnight Thursday, Yucatán Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal will carry out the Grito de Dolores, (which translates to scream or cry of Dolores), as will President Obrador in Mexico City, as well as governors and mayors across the country.
The crowd will yell VIVA! in response to each line recited by the governor in a reenactment of the events from 212 years ago in Dolores Hidalgo, led by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.
¡Mexicanos! ¡Vivan los héroes que nos dieron patria!
¡Víva Hidalgo!
¡Viva Morelos!
¡Viva Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez!
¡Viva Allende!
¡Vivan Aldama y Matamoros!
¡Viva la independencia nacional!
¡Viva México!
¡Viva México!
¡Viva México!
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In truth, the exact words spoken by Hidalgo have been lost to time, but this civic ceremony has now been widely practiced across Mexico for well over a century.
Celebrations in Mérida are likely to include a large display of fireworks, as long as the weather holds.
Vendors are sure to be out in force, selling large Mexican flags, pins, hair decorations, and of course, plenty of food.
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was a Catholic priest and leader of the Mexican War of Independence. He is widely recognized as the Father of Independent Mexico.
