SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — As Mexican Independence Day approaches, tourism officials in Tijuana are gearing up for a 15 percent increase in visitors for the city’s planned celebrations.
The actual holiday is on Sept. 16, but a wave of tourists is expected to arrive before that date, according to Karim Chalita Rodríguez, president of the Tourism and Conventions Committee in Tijuana.
“We know many will come to listen to the independence day declaration (known as “El Grito” in Mexico) and we hope they’ll spend a few additional days in the city,” he said.
The city of Tijuana has scheduled an evening celebration for the 15th at the Miguel Hidalgo roundabout in front of city hall, something it has been done in recent years.
Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. featuring several musical artists including a free concert from Margarita la Diosa de la Cumbia.
“This has generated a following from Mexicans who live in the United States,” Chalita Rodríguez said. “We know this because of the amount of cars that have crossed the border on that evening in previous years.”
Other artists scheduled to perform include Julión Álvarez, El Coyote y Julio Preciado, and Jorge Medina y Josi Cuen.
“We take the entire month of September as our patriotic month, it’s not just the 15 and 16 exclusively,” Chalita Rodríguez said. “We are expecting thousands to show up, both locals and visitors.”
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