A group of women in colorful folkloric dresses dance in unison during a parade, twirling their vibrant skirts. The dresses are red, purple, green, and yellow with colorful ribbons, creating a lively display. A man in a black charro suit walks beside them, smiling.
Joyas Mestizas perform during the annual Fiestas Patrias parade Sept. 14, 2024, in South Park.(Photo: Susan Fried)
Arts & Culture

PHOTO ESSAY | Fiestas Patrias 2024

Published on: 

by Susan Fried

Despite gray skies and the threat of rain, hundreds of people lined South Cloverdale Street on Sept. 14, waiting for the annual Fiestas Patrias Parade to pass by. Coinciding with the beginning of National Hispanic American Heritage Month, Fiesta Patrias celebrates the independence of numerous Latin American countries, many of which gained their independence in September. This year’s theme was “Unifying Our Communities,” and the variety of parade participants exemplified the best of Latino culture in the Pacific Northwest.

Some parade onlookers blew horns and waved flags as traditional dancers, hot rods, mariachi bands, and beautiful horses made their way through South Park.

The Fiestas Patrias celebration continued with a two-day celebration at Seattle Center on Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 15.

A group of women in colorful folkloric dresses dance in unison during a parade, twirling their vibrant skirts. The dresses are red, purple, green, and yellow with colorful ribbons, creating a lively display. A man in a black charro suit walks beside them, smiling.
Joyas Mestizas perform during the annual Fiestas Patrias parade Sept. 14, 2024, in South Park.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A young girl in a vibrant red traditional Mexican folkloric dress smiles as she dances in a parade. Her dress has colorful stripes and white lace trim, and she holds the skirt out wide as she twirls. Other dancers in similar attire are seen in the background, along with spectators watching from the sidewalk.
A young dancer walks with a contingent representing El Centro de la Raza in the Fiestas Patrias parade on Sept. 14, 2024, in South Park.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A group of riders on horseback participate in a parade. The man in the foreground wears a light blue shirt, tan pants, and a wide-brimmed sombrero, guiding a brown horse with an ornately decorated saddle. Other riders, both men and women, dressed in traditional charro outfits and cowboy hats, follow behind, smiling and enjoying the event.
Dozens of beautiful horses and their riders performed traditional horse dancing for the Fiestas Patrias parade watchers. The riders were part of two groups Folkloric Horses and Octavio Rios Horses.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A man dressed in a traditional charro suit and wide-brimmed sombrero rides a gray horse during a parade. He holds the Mexican flag, which flows behind him as he rides. The horse's long, flowing mane is tied with red ribbons.
One of the highlights of the annual Fiestas Patrias parade was traditional Mexican horse dancing.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A man in a traditional charro outfit, riding a dark horse, leads a group of musicians and horse riders in a parade. The mariachi musicians, dressed in black charro suits, play violins and guitars as they walk alongside the horse.
A mariachi band accompanies a group of traditional horse riders and dancers.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A man in a traditional charro outfit rides a black horse with a young boy seated behind him. The man wears a wide-brimmed sombrero, while the boy, dressed casually in a patterned shirt and backwards cap, holds onto the man for support. Both ride in a parade, with the horse adorned in an intricately designed saddle.
A young boy rides with a man on horseback during the Fiestas Patrias parade on Sept. 14, 2024, in South Park.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A shiny green lowrider car with gold rims is shown with its front end lifted off the ground, highlighting its hydraulic suspension. The driver leans out of the window, and spectators, including children, watch from the sidewalk.
Dozens of lowrider cars from multiple car clubs, including Lord Riderz, Northwest Finest, and Family Stylez, rode in the Fiestas Patrias parade on Sept. 14, 2024.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A parade float designed like a pirate ship, named "Moby Duck," moves down the street, surrounded by clouds of smoke. The float features colorful flags, pirate-themed decorations, and costumed performers, including one dressed as a pirate saluting from the deck.
The Seafair Pirates “Moby Duck” made one of their last appearances of the summer at the Fiestas Patrias parade in South Park on Sept. 14, 2024.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A woman and a young girl, both wearing traditional Mexican dresses with floral embroidery, smile from a float decorated with colorful papel picado banners. The girl stands at the front holding small toy maracas, while the woman poses behind her, holding part of her black skirt.
A woman and a girl look out from a float decorated with traditional Mexican colors during the Fiestas Patrias parade on Sept. 14, 2024.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A group of performers dressed in traditional Mexican folkloric costumes, resembling horned demon-like figures, walk down the street during a parade. The lead performer wears a red jacket, a horned mask, and fur-covered pants, holding a coiled rope.
El Diablos de Seattle walked in the Fiestas Patrias parade on Sept. 14, 2024.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A man dressed in a traditional charro suit smiles and waves while holding a small Mexican flag during a parade. Behind him, women in vibrant, colorful folkloric dresses twirl their skirts as they dance.
Several cultural organizations showcasing traditional dance and clothing — including Joyas Mestizas, Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin, Grupo Folklore Costarricense, and Grupo Folklore Salvadoreno — participated in the annual Fiestas Patrias parade on Sept. 14, 2024.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A group of young people march in a parade, holding colorful signs with messages in Spanish like "Queremos un río limpio" (We want a clean river) and "Queremos más actividades escolares" (We want more school activities). Many wear sombreros, and some are dressed in casual clothing with matching shirts.
The Duwamish Valley Youth Corps walked in the Fiesta Patrias parade on Sept. 14, 2024.(Photo: Susan Fried)
A group of adults and children stand together on the sidewalk during a celebration. One boy holds a Mexican flag, while others blow into plastic horns. A young boy dressed in a cowboy outfit with a hat stands in front, and a girl holds a clear umbrella decorated with pink bears.
The Ramirez family waits for the Fiestas Patrias parade to pass by their apartment on South Cloverdale Street on Sept. 14, 2024.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she’s been The Skanner News’ Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington’s The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more. She’s been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.

Event
Photo Essay
Susan Fried
Latino
Arts & Culture
Observance/Holiday
South Park
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Fiestas Patrias

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