Diez y Sies and Cinco de Mayo celebrations

For multigenerational East Austin families, since the 1920's Parque Zaragoza Neighborhood Park is remembered for its three and four day long Diez y Sies and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Neighboring towns were known to send their fiesta queen candidates to compete for annual crown. Many Tejano and Conjunto music legends have been known to perform on Parque Zaragoza's bandstand including Manuel Cowboy Donley. East Austin's beloved San Juan, Mr. Johnny Limón, this past Cinco de Mayo had created a playlist of great Tejano Orchestra bands you can listen to by clicking "Johnny's Playlist" here.  

All of the fiestas and park events were by large organized by the Parque Zaragoza Park Advisory Board. The members of this board often served for decades. An example of the community's dedication and commitment is seen daily with the existence of the Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center, that started with a petition in the early 1980's, lots of of advocacy and fund raising until its doors opened in 1996.

For the 209th Anniversary of the Mexican Independence Day, below are two 16 de Septiembre Parque Zaragoza fiesta programs. One, 136 Aniversario de Nuestra Independencia, is from 74 years ago (1946), and the other, Parque Zaragoza 16 de Septiembre 1990, from 30 years ago (1990) today. Each provides a glimpse into our East Austin, Mexican American  cherished Mexican Independence celebrations of the past.