Los Festivales y Mercados: Día de la Independencia celebrated independence day for Mexico as well as six other Latin American countries. The event included a mariachi band, folklorico dancers and a headlining band, Brujo Roots! We had free lotería with prizes, a "find the flag" educational country scavenger hunt that took people into Kendall Whittier businesses. As always, it included a free Kids' Zone. Kids were able to play yard games and draw on and create their very own mask.

Los Festivales y Mercados was an amazing three-part series that supported multicultural entrepreneurs, engaged the neighborhood and residents with the commercial district and authentically promoted Hispanic culture. The other events were Día del Niño in April and Kermes in July.