The Central American Independence Festival and Parade is happening on September 14th and 15th!

In just a few days, Independence Day celebrations will kick off for several Central American countries including El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Belize. Here in Los Angeles, home of large Central American communities, celebrations will revolve around a family-friendly festival and parade on September 14 and 15.

There will be a stage for performers at the festival – where Traditional dances will be performed on the festival stage along with vocalists, including Miguel Jiménez and his famous cumbia, says Benjamín Posada, president of the Central American Confederation (COFECA). The organization was founded in 1983 in the MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles to celebrate the rich culture of Central American countries.

Traditional Central American foods will also be showcased – including Salvadoran pupusas, Honduran baleadas, Guatemalan pepián, and many other delicious dishes.

There will also be an area for entrepreneurs to display their products –giving a platform to Central Americans with small businesses in the United States. Posada emphasized that a mobile clinic will be on-site during the festival, offering free eye exams and diabetes screenings. “We want everyone to have a great time, but it’s also a chance for families to take care of their health with early detection exams,” says Posada.

There’s more! On Sunday, Sept. 15, the Central American Parade will take place, featuring around 50 floats, equestrian groups and three marching bands from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Plus, there will be special guests, including seven parade marshals this year.

“In the past, we only had one marshal for the parade, but we realized that so many people do a lot of work for our community, both in our home countries and here in the United States,” explains Posada. That’s why COFECA decided to honor one marshal per country and a grand marshal from the host country.

This year, Panama will be the host country. “The grand marshal this year is Yolanda Burguess, chosen for her work with an organization in Panama that supports children with Down syndrome,” Posada shares.

Posada, who became the president of COFECA in 2017, has been involved with the organization since the Central American parades first started 41 years ago in LA. What motivates him?

“Organizing this parade is about keeping our roots alive, even when we are far from home,” Posada said. “I want our children to raise their flags with pride and embrace and celebrate their heritage.” He adds that this event is a safe place for the Central American community, a place they can remember and celebrate their native countries.

Festival Details:

• Date: Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15
• Time: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Location: At the intersection of S. Park View St. and 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90057.
• Go Metro: Take the B Line train to the Westlake/MacArthur Park station.

Parade Details:

• Date: Sunday, September 15
• Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Location: The parade starts at the intersection of S. Vermont Ave and W. Pico Blvd. and ends at the intersection of S. Park View St. and 7th St. Check the map below to see the entire route.
• Travel by Metro: For the parade’s endpoint, take the B Line train to the Westlake/MacArthur Park station. Please note that due to the parade, buses on the following lines will be detoured around the event: 2, 20, 28, 30, 51, 66, 204, 603, 720, 754.

Information about the nearest alternative bus stop will be posted at all affected stops. If you plan to take the bus, please allow extra travel time to avoid delays. Plan your transit trip using Google Maps, Apple Maps, the Transit app, the Moovit app or the trip planner on metro.net.