The Vista Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with its Latino Business Outreach Committee, hosted the first-ever Fiestas Patrias de Vista on Sunday, September 15, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at the shopping center located at 1234 N Santa Fe Ave. The event, which coincided with the celebration of Mexican Independence Day, brought together local residents, businesses, and community leaders to honor and celebrate the rich Hispanic and Mexican heritage in Vista.
The event opened to the public with a special ceremony led by a representative of the Mexican Consulate of San Diego, who shared the history and traditions of Mexican Independence Day. Following the Consul’s remarks, there were presentations from representatives of Congressman Mike Levin’s office, California Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, and Vista Mayor John Franklin. Each speaker emphasized the importance of recognizing the Hispanic community’s contributions to the city.
Rachel Beld, CEO of the Vista Chamber, spoke after the opening ceremony about the hard work her team put into making this event a reality, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the rich cultural diversity in Vista. She also credited Alma Gutierrez, from her office, for spearheading the event’s creation and bringing the vision of Fiestas Patrias to life.
Mariachi Olmos de San Diego then took the stage, delivering an impressive performance. Attendees were treated to captivating cultural performances by Tierra Caliente Academy, Ballet Folklorico Caliztlan, and singer LuMaya, showcasing the vibrant traditions of Mexican music and dance.
The event continued with performances by the talented ballet folklórico groups from Mission Vista High School and Rancho Buena Vista High School, bringing the celebration to a close with their colorful and passionate displays of Mexican folk dance.
In addition to live entertainment, Fiestas Patrias also featured a variety of local vendors offering products and services, traditional Mexican cuisine, and family-friendly activities. The community enjoyed the lively atmosphere while exploring the booths and participating in cultural activities.
Event sponsors, including Carla Yriqui from Santa Fe Dental Group, David Zumaya from My San Diego North County, Denisse Barragan from Fix Auto, and Daniel De Robles, PharmD, owner of Santa Fe Pharmacy, were acknowledged during the event. They each introduced performers and gave brief remarks, highlighting their businesses’ support for the cultural celebration and expressing their appreciation for the Chamber’s efforts to bring the community together.
Sponsors of the event, including EDCO, Fix Auto Vista, My San Diego North County, Santa Fe Dental Group, and Santa Fe Pharmacy, were instrumental in bringing this inaugural celebration to life and supporting the local Hispanic community.
The event was a success, drawing a large crowd of local residents and reinforcing the significance of Hispanic culture in Vista, where approximately 50% of the population is Latino. The overwhelming participation and support confirmed that Fiestas Patrias de Vista was a valuable addition to the city’s cultural calendar, bringing the community together to celebrate heritage, tradition, and unity.
