Downtown Phoenix hosted the fifth annual El Grito festival on Saturday, 12 September, bringing mariachi music, folklórico dancing, traditional food and cultural performances to the city as residents marked Mexican independence.
The El Grito festival in Phoenix attracted visitors from across the Valley and was staged in the heart of the city by Councilwoman Betty Guardado in partnership with the United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association.
The event is regarded by the city as one of Arizona’s largest Hispanic cultural celebrations. Previous festivals have drawn nearly 20,000 people, while this year’s programme included live regional Mexican music, family activities, fireworks and almost 100 vendor stalls.
Performers included La Original Banda Maguey and Banda Mach, alongside Mariachi Continental Azteca and the Fiesta Mexicana Dance Company. The evening also featured the traditional El Grito ceremony, followed by a fireworks display over downtown Phoenix.
Betty Guardado said the celebration was an opportunity to recognise the city’s Latino community and give residents a way to connect with Mexican traditions.
“The Phoenix area is about 45% of Latino,” she said. “We think that it’s important for us to put, you know, the culture on the map and for people to be able to see how it is that we celebrate things, back in Mexico.”
Food vendors were central to the festival, giving small businesses an opportunity to promote their products and reach new customers. Among them were Bianca and Ramon Campos, owners of Scrappy Tacos and More.
The couple’s menu combines Bianca’s Native heritage with Ramon’s family roots in Jalisco, Mexico. Their chicken and tri-tip recipes have been passed down through the family, with Campos saying one tradition “came from Jalisco, Mexico” and was being kept alive through the business.
Guardado said the event was particularly important for residents who could not afford to travel to Mexico for the holiday.
“We have so many residents that don’t have the means to go back to Mexico on this day, so for us to bring the celebration to them, it’s a huge honour for me,” she said.
