Celebrating Mexican culture would seem to be a simple endeavor in Santa Ana, where 75% of the residents speak Spanish and most are of Mexican descent.
But on Mexican Independence Day -- a major holiday that is celebrated with fanfare and passion throughout Mexico -- the city is clearly divided.
Because of disagreements and entanglements among community leaders, Independence Day -- which began at 11 p.m. Thursday -- will be celebrated three times this year in Santa Ana.
One set of festivities began Thursday with a celebration at a community center. There's also the weekend-long downtown street fair that starts Saturday. And then there's the town's annual Independence Day parade Sept. 25, nine days after the actual holiday.
The fractured celebration of the Mexican holiday is less a reflection of Santa Ana's large immigrant population than it is about control of the downtown festival. "This shouldn't be happening," said County Supervisor Lou Correa, whose district includes Santa Ana.
For the second year in a row, efforts to combine the parade and street festival fell apart amid bickering over who should be in charge of the Independence Day festivities. In part, the difference came down to business: Should the events be moneymakers or simply community-sponsored celebrations?
The weekend festival on 4th Street attracts as many as 250,000 people, according to organizers, who have for the second year in a row sparred with organizers of the Independence Day parade, which features folkloric dancers, marching bands and traditional Mexican costumes.
Civic leaders say residents would be best served if the events were combined, or at least held at the same time, and preferably closer to the holiday.
"From a logistical point of view, one solid event is probably what everyone wants," said Mark Lawrence, assistant to the city manager.
Correa said the city should be taking a leadership role in coordinating the celebration of Independence Day and consider holding it at a large venue -- such as the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa -- rather than fight over it in downtown Santa Ana.
Mexican Independence Day celebrations begin every Sept. 15 at 11 p.m. in cities and villages throughout Mexico. In Mexico City, the president, following long-held custom, rings the liberty bell that Miguel Hidalgo rang to call the people when he summoned them to fight the Spanish in 1810.
