Mexican Independence Day festivities abound, even without Canelo in town

By Chris Kudialis

Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 | 2 a.m.

One of the largest Mexican celebrations of the year will bring fanfare, parties and extra flights to the Las Vegas Valley this weekend. But one thing missing from the Mexican Independence Day festivities here will be the country’s most popular boxer.

Choosing Dallas’ AT&T Stadium over Las Vegas for the annual “El Grito de Dolores” fight, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez could bring an estimated $10 million to $20 million gate to the Big D economy with his fight against Liam Smith, while Las Vegas does not have a major boxing match scheduled on the holiday weekend for the first time in four years.

“It really came down to the promoter and negotiating the fight with the MGM properties,” Nevada Athletic Commission Executive Director Bob Bennett said. “Ultimately, Jerry Jones swooped in and made an agreement that took it from us.”

In the previous three years fighting on Mexico's Independence Day, Floyd Mayweather grossed about $13 million to $20 million in fights against Andre Berto, Marcos Maidana and Alvarez, according to figures — not including pay-per-view — reported to the commission.

With Mayweather now retired, Alvarez said earlier this year that he hoped to own the Cinco de Mayo weekend in early May and independence weekend in September. He’s holding true to his word, but just fighting elsewhere.

“It’s a downer, but the entertainment industry for the weekend is still vibrant here in Vegas, so I hope we’ll be fine,” said Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce President Peter Guzman.

Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on Sept. 16, when in 1810 it gained independence from Spain in a rebellion led by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. In Mexico, celebrants convene annually before midnight in their communities’ main squares, where elected officials or leaders repeat Hidalgo’s “grito” (shout), for freedom. At sunrise, military and civic parades begin a day of celebration with fireworks, food and music.

The Las Vegas edition of El Grito will begin at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, where a member of the Mexican consul, joined by a Mariachi band and folkloric dancers, will kick off the holiday with the shout and celebratory ringing of a freedom bell. The event is free and open to the public.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority does not track visitation numbers specifically related to the holiday. Last year, hotel rooms reached 97.7 percent capacity during the holiday in 2015, meaning about 145,570 of 149,000 hotel rooms were occupied. It was Las Vegas’ ninth most popular weekend of last year by room occupancy, ahead of Labor Day, July Fourth and Easter among other holiday weekends.

“Las Vegas in itself is a draw, and you have an event like this where Hispanics consider the city a safe place to celebrate,” Guzman said. “On top of that you have a huge Hispanic population that’s already here. It’s a no-brainer.”

At McCarran International, spokeswoman Christine Crews said the airport is adding 10 direct flights, from major airports in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, for a total of 41 commercial flights from the U.S. neighbors to the south between today and Saturday. Mexican air carriers Aeromexico, Interjet, Magnicharters and Volaris are expected to bring more than 5,200 passengers to McCarran over the course of the weekend, Crews said.

Although Las Vegas will be without a major boxing event, Mexican Independence Day entertainment and festivities will still be aplenty.

Las Vegas resident Carlos Santana performed Wednesday night at the House of Blues. The 1998 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will also play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday ($85-$350).

Starting today, pop duo Emmanuel & Mijares will perform at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace ($49 to $350), followed by Enrique Iglesias on Friday and Saturday at the same venue ($40-$300).

At MGM Grand Garden, Guadalajara-born mariachi singer Alejandro Fernandez performs today ($69-$225), followed by world-famous Mexican rock band Maná on Friday ($51-$265).

Latin pop superstar Pitbull will play at the Axis Theater at Planet Hollywood today and Friday ($39-$169), and salsa music artist Mark Anthony will perform there on Saturday ($95-$280).

On Saturday, Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda will perform traditional Mexican music at the Mandalay Bay Events Center ($69 to $300). Monterrey-born Gloria Trevi will also close the weekend Saturday night at the the Chelsea inside the Cosmopolitan ($25-$269).

This year’s celebrations are sure to feature tributes to recently diseased singer Juan Gabriel, who regularly performed in Las Vegas and had a sold-out show scheduled at Mandalay Bay for Friday. Gabriel died on Aug. 28.

The Cosmopolitan will also be the site of a smaller-scale boxing match on Friday night. Starting at 4 p.m., Mayweather Promotions will host Fight Night, a 10-fight card featuring Ishe Smith against Frank Galarza ($29-$49).