Jaime Espinoza, lead singer of the popular Mexican band Los Fugitivos, welcomes 5-year-old Kimberlyn Hernandez to the stage Sunday during the annual Mexican Independence Day celebration in downtown Watsonville. Kimberlyn brought two of the band’s CDs to get them autographed. The free, six-hour event—held on a closed-off section of Main Street and at Watsonville Plaza—was put on by Fiestas Patrias and also featured food booths, arts and crafts and information tables. The holiday, also known as El Grito de la Independencia (Cry of Independence), is held annually on Sept. 16 in honor of Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spanish rule in 1810. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
