A last-minute change in the route of the Saturday, Sept. 15, Mexican Independence Day parade will move the starting point to the corner of Sixth Street and Central Avenue.

Originally, the parade was to begin at City Hall, but those plans could not be completed, said Angelo Santos, chairman of the 16th of September fiesta.

“We will begin the parade at Sixth and Central and then head south on Central to McDonald Park,” he reported. “This is the same parade route as last year.”

Jose Hernandez, Democratic Party candidate for Congress, will be parade marshal. Units will include the Tracy High marching band, cars carrying queens of this year and past years, and restored cars of the Traffic and New Style auto clubs.

Activities at the park, located at First Street and Central Avenue, will begin around 11 a.m. following the arrival of units of the parade.

At the park, “El Grito,” the traditional call to arms that launched Mexico’s 11-year war of independence on Sept. 16, 1810, will be sounded.

The 16th of September and Miss Tracy Latina queens will be crowned by Ray Morelos, president of the sponsoring South Tracy Community Organization.

Food, including Mexican dishes and barbecue items by Rudy Mason, will be available.

Entertainment will be provided by the Mystique Band from San Jose, singers Baley Pool and Felicia Zapata and local folklorico dancers.

A handball tournament and art contest will be ongoing during the fiesta, which will continue to 7 p.m., according to Santos.