The Sterling/Rock Falls Mexican Fiesta kicks off on mid Sept. as it has every year since 1951. Festivities begin on Friday the 12th at 4 p.m. with the raising of two new flags outside the Latin American Social Club, one American, and one Mexican. The will be a two-hour dedication ceremony for the flags, after which the Fiesta Fun Fair will commence indoors, with the usual folk music and dance, and Mexican food.
The parade starts at 1 p.m. the following day near the Grandon Civic Center in Central Park on East 4th St., Sterling. It will proceed through Sterling toward Rock Falls, ending at the junction of 1st Ave. and 10th St. in Rock Falls. There will be trophy awards for the best floats in the parade. Following the parade on Saturday evening there will be a special dance for the crowning of the Fiesta Queen and the cry of “El Grito de Independencia!” (Mexican shout for independence) in solidarity with Mexican cities and towns throughout the Americas in celebration of Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1810. The band Sabor Latino will play music with open dancing till 1 a.m.
Sunday will see a soccer tournament played in the morning beginning at 8 a.m. in Scheid Park in the west end of Sterling, at Woodburn Ave between 11th and 13th streets, with a ceremony for the teams at 10 a.m. The competition includes teams from Sterling itself and as far away as Rockford, Ill. and the Quad Cities; trophies will be handed out to the winners of the competition.
The festivities conclude with a Mass in Spanish, also in Scheid Park, at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. All are invited to attend the Fiesta in celebration of Mexican Independence Day and the area’s rich Mexican heritage.
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