urn:taro:aushc.00279 Fiesta del Grito de Independencia Committee Records An Inventory of the Collection Finding aid prepared by Molly Hults. Austin History Center, Austin Public Library August 01, 2012
810 GuadalupePO BOX 2287Austin, TX 78768
 Finding aid encoded by Molly Hults on August 01, 2012 Overview of the Collection Austin History Center, Austin Public Library,
810 Guadalupe, PO BOX 2287, Austin, TX 78768
 Fiesta del Grito de Independencia Committee Fiesta del Grito de Independencia Committee Records 1994-1999 .2 linear feet (1 box) The Fiesta del Grito de Independencia Committee was established in 1994 to assist with the planning and implementation of the annual 16th de Septiembre celebration in Austin, Texas. The meeting agendas and minutes, correspondence, to-do-lists, financial records, activity schedules, committee member lists, notes, flyers and programs in this collection highlight the activities of this organization from 1994-1999. AR.2012.023 Archives stacks, Artifacts, and Oversized Archives The records are in English and Spanish. Administrative History

In or about 1992, the Mexican Consulate approached the City of Austin with a proposal to partner in sponsoring an annual 16th de Septiembre celebration. The Consulate arranged for entertainers from Mexico to perform for the event and the City of Austin provided in-kind support for the logistics. The highlight then, as it is now, is the re-enactment of “El Grito” by the Consul General of Mexico.

The first two events were held outdoors in downtown Austin. The Consulate was located in a building across the street from the Driskill Hotel on Brazos and the event was held in that street. As the event grew, the need for a larger location was indicated, as well as the need for a planning and fund raising committee.

In 1994, then Austin Council Member Gus Garcia, recruited Roberto Chapa and Rosie Mendoza to work with him. Together they established the Fiesta de Independencia Foundation to be the fund raising arm and money depository for the event, and the Fiesta del Grito de Independencia Committee (sometimes shortened to Fiesta de Independencia Committee) to be responsible for planning the event and along with the City of Austin, for implementing the event. The first Chair of the Committee was Lala Niemeyer.

Source: Fiesta de Independencia Foundation website

Accessed: 2012 August 1

 Scope and Contents

The Fiesta del Grito de Independencia Committee Records consists of meeting agendas and minutes, correspondence, to-do-lists, financial records, activity schedules, committee member lists, notes, flyers, posters, and programs, dating 1994 to 1996, that provide insight into how the annual 16 de Septiembre (Mexican Independence Day, Diez y Seis Celebration) celebration in Austin, Texas is planned and executed.

Related Material

General Collection - A VHS 394.26972 GR El Grito de Dolores: [2001 Fiesta de Independencia]

Austin Files - Mexican Americans - Diez y Seis M4300 (21)

 Arrangement

Materials are arranged chronologically.

 Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Persons: Niemeyer, Lala. Pennington, Gloria. Organizations: Fiesta del Grito de Independencia Committee. Fiesta de Independencia Foundation. Places: Austin (Tex.)--Social life and customs. Mexico--History--Wars of Independence, 1810-1821. Subjects: Festivals--Texas--Austin--History. Independence Day (Mexico). Mexican Americans--Texas--Austin--Social life and customs. Restrictions on Access

Open to all users.

 Restrictions on Use

None.

 Custodial History

Materials donated by the first Chair of the Fiesta del Grito de Independencia Committee.

 Preferred Citation

Fiesta del Grito de Independencia Committee Records (AR.2012.023). Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Texas.

 Acquisition Information

Donor #: DO/2012/046

Donation Date: 2012

 Processing Information

Finding aid created and encoded by Molly Hults in 2012.

This small collection had no apparent original order. The items were organized by the processor by date with undated items placed at the end.

 Detailed Description of the Collection Administrative files 1994-1999, undated 1 1 1994 1 2 1995 1 3 1996 1 4 1997 1 5 1999 1 6 undated Artifacts 111/007 Mexican flag, paper 1995 qAR 03/05/004 Fiesta del Grito de Independencia, 1998 qAR 03/05/005 Fiesta del Grito de Independencia, 2000