For the third year in a row, the Mexican festival on 116th Street, in the heart of El Barrio in East Harlem, broke the record for the number of people attending and, once again, exceeded the organizers' expectations.

Spokespersons for Cecomex (the Center for the Mexican Community in New York), the event organizer, said that next year they seek to increase attendance again and will add more streets to the festival in order to accommodate those who come to this popular festival, including local artists, singers, choruses, and Mexican folklore groups.

Juan Cáceres, the founder of Cecomex, told Diario de Mexico that over 250,000 people attended the festival, forcing police officers to close the subway station at 116th Street in order to ensure the safety of the public.

"We're growing every year; we've been fighting for more space because people keep coming," said Cáceres, pointing out that the festival received recognition from Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), for the hard work of the organization and the Mexican community in this part of New York City.

The day of the festival

A large security presence made sure that the public could enjoy the festival. Besides the great variety of local artists and diverse nationalities, people could satisfy their cravings for all things Mexican including food, handicrafts, wrestling masks and shirts with the logos of sports teams.

The organizers of the festival said they have been satisfied that every year, the Mexican community in the heart of East Harlem has been present at an event that commemorates the 199th anniversary of Mexico's independence, a date that Mexicans outside of the country also celebrate with joy.