A Mexican and Central American Independence Day celebration was held Saturday at Concrete Plant Park.

Five Central American nations - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua - began their celebration of 193 years of independence Friday and continued the party Saturday.

The event, organized by the Parks Department and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, featured music, dancing, food and performances.

"We feel it's very important to do work that crosses cultural barriers," says organizer David Shuffler.

The celebration also included Belize, which celebrates its independence on Sept. 21, and Panama, which has its Independence Day in November.

September is known in the United States as National Hispanic Heritage Month.