SOUTH MILWAUKEE — As Hispanic Heritage Month begins, the vibrant celebrations of Mexican Independence Day made a return to the streets of Milwaukee.

After a three-year hiatus, the Hispanic and Latino community in Milwaukee is celebrating the Mexican Independence Day Festival that was hosted by UMOS.

The vibrant Mexican flags, whether painted on children’s cheeks, waving proudly from car windows, or worn as capes, create a tapestry across the city.

For many, this celebration marks a joyful reunion. Nalisa Rodriguez, a 14-year-old attendee, expresses her excitement.

“It feels good because after three years, we just stayed at home due to COVID, and we didn’t really get to be around everybody else,” said Rodriguez.

The Mexican Independence Parade, held at the intersection of 20th and Oklahoma on the city’s south side, commemorates Mexico’s hard-fought freedom from Spain, a pivotal moment in history that unfolded two centuries ago.

Milwaukee’s Hispanic population has been on the rise over the past two decades, nearly doubling, per city officials. Today, almost 20% of the city’s residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.

“I see everyone coming together in such a way that we started to appreciate more of the things we had in the past,” said Marina Arana, another attendee. “We didn’t really recognize how much we had lost.”

The celebration signifies the community coming together, embracing their heritage and sharing it with the broader Milwaukee community.

“You see the flags, you see the people, you hear the music, you see our culture […] it’s just a lot,” Arana said. “A lot I just feel it in my heart when I see everyone say ‘Viva Mexico.’”