Cliffs of the Neuse celebrates Mexico's Independence Day
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on September 17, 2017 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Dancers from the Ballet Folklorico de Colores dances during the Mexican Independence Day Fiesta Saturday at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
A puppet show in the middle of a Mexican Independence Day fiesta might not make much sense at first.
But as Grey Seal Puppets put on a show about a prince turned to a frog, and the classic tale of the three little pigs, people attending the event at the Cliffs of the Neuse Saturday learned that it made perfect sense.
After all, the use of puppets can be traced back to 600 A.D. in the Teotihuacan culture of Central Mexico when people would make figurines with moveable arms and legs as part of their funeral rites.
And the children attending the event loved it.
Four-year-old Jeremiah Ponce was gripped by the puppet show, saying the way in which the tale of the "Three Little Pigs" was acted out was "super hilarious."
It is the classic tale of a wolf who tries to blow down three houses belonging to the little pigs, but cannot blow down the brick house belonging to one of them.
Jeremiah laughed with delight when the puppet-wolf stuck its nose into the brick house, and emerged with his snout tied shut.
The Arts Council of Wayne County hosted the event Saturday, which was Mexican Independence Day.
The historic day is a commemoration of the start of the Mexican War of Independence on Sept. 16, 1810, which began when Roman Catholic priest Don Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hildago-Costilla y Gallaga Mandarte Villasenor rang the bell of his church and gave the call to arms for war.
This event is known as the "Cry of Dolores," named after the small town of Dolores, in Guanajuato, Mexico, in which the war began.
When the people of Mexico won the war, they earned their independence from Spain in 1821.
Arts Council Executive Director Wendy Walker said Saturday's fiesta was the first of six multicultural events will be held during the next year.
"This is brand new," Walker said. "It's part of our multicultural music series, and it's six multicultural events throughout the year."
There were facts about Mexican Independence Day and Mexican culture posted around the area.
Among them were factoids on how the day is celebrated in modern culture in Mexico, as well as details surrounding the revolt itself.
Walker said part of the event's function was to educate people attending on the history behind the day.
To celebrate the day, outside of the puppet show, there was also a crafts table for children and the Ballet Folklorico de Colores performed dances for the crowd.
Cafe 1221, a restaurant in downtown Goldsboro, also debuted their food truck at the event so people could eat while they enjoyed the entertainment.
As part of the series for the rest of 2016, there will be an Octobrewfest Oct. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Goldsboro Brew Works.
The series then continues Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at Wayne Community College. Corazon De Granada, a flamenco troupe consisting of a guitar player, a singer and a flamenco dancer will perform.
A Native American Heritage Day will take place Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace in Fremont.
Other events will happen in the spring.