At St. Paul’s Mexican Independence Day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 13, the focus was youth athletics.
The annual event, organized by the West Side Boosters, included youth football matches and young athletes marching in the annual parade along with a line of the club’s cheerleading squad.
Organizers also took a moment to honor Don Luna, a longtime community and club leader.
And children and adults alike enjoyed the bodies flying off the ring during lucha libre wrestling matches as part of the day’s events.
Across the river in Minneapolis, the mood was more subdued, but a parade that got started at 2 p.m. still drew cheers from the children in the crowd.
The day included Aztec dancers, mechanical bull-riding, and vendors cooking up mouthwatering south of the border flavors.
Hispanic Heritage Month continues through Oct. 15, with a taco and tequila fest on St. Paul’s East Side, and events in Rochester in Bloomington.
Cheerleaders that are part of the West Side Booster Club program march down South Ada Street in Saint Paul on September 13, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan JournalChildren proudly hold Mexican flags during the parade at the Mexican Heritage celebration in Saint Paul on September 13, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan JournalLucha Libre wrestlers jump off the turnbuckle during the Mexican Heritage celebration in St. Paul on September 13, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan JournalLucha Libre wrestlers perform during the Mexican Heritage celebration in Saint Paul on September 13, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan JournalDon Luna, who was honored for his service to the West Side Boosters speaks during the opening ceremony at the Mexican Heritage celebration in St. Paul on September 13, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan JournalChildren with the West Side Boosters run down the field during a football game during the Mexican Heritage celebration in Saint Paul on September 13, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan JournalA man attaches ears on a paper mache creation during the Mexican Independence Day Celebration on Lake Street on September 14, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan Journal(Top left) Sombreros are ready to sell during the Mexican Heritage celebration in Saint Paul on September 13, 2025. (Bottom left) Erick Hernandez and his 2-year-old son, Oliver Hernandez ride a mechanical bull together during the Mexican Independence Day Celebration on Lake Street on Sept. 14, 2025. (Top right) A man sells stuffed animals and trinkets during the Mexican Heritage celebration in Saint Paul on September 13, 2025. (Bottom right) A shop is setup next to Lake Street during the Mexican Independence Day Celebration on Lake Street on September 14, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan JournalAngel Santos of De Pollo Los Santos grills food next to Lake Street during the Mexican Independence Day Celebration on Lake Street on Sept. 14, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan JournalA giant transformer walks down the parade route during the Mexican Independence Day Celebration on Lake Street on September 14, 2025. Credit: Chris Juhn for Sahan Journal
Chris Juhn is a Twin Cities based photojournalist. He started his career back in 2014 with a big focus on sports photography. But soon after he started to also focus on photojournalism.
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