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 Candidates for Miss Independencia and Niņa Independencia will participate in the parade around the square in Marshall at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, as they did last year. The winners will be crowned at St. Peter Church at 8 p.m. [Click to enlarge] |
The Centro Latino de Apoyo, Recursos y Oportunidades or Latin Center for Support, Resources, and Opportunities is the main sponsor of the event, in its second year and continuing to grow, Tyler said during a presentation to the Marshall Rotary Club Thursday, Sept. 7.
Like last year, the event centers around the crowning of Miss Independencia and Niņa Independencia, a contest that has been held since 1999.
It's not a beauty contest but rather a fund-raiser, Tyler said. The candidates sell votes at $1 per vote, and the girl who sells the most earns the crown. There is no limit to the number of votes individuals or businesses can purchase.
The money raised is used to support programs in the community that contribute to the organization's mission of bridging cultures. Last year proceeds went to the Family Literacy Program hosted by Covenant Presbyterian Church, Tyler said.
Candidates this year in la niņa category, girls aged 5 through 12, include Carina Ruiz, representing Mexico; Adriana Medrano, representing El Salvador; and Krizeida Coronado, representing Mexico. In the age 13 and up category, candidates are Alejandra Martinez, representing Mexico; Brenda Hernandez, representing El Salvador; and Susan Jerez, representing El Salvador.
 Carrie Tyler, founder and executive director of CLARO, explains the organization's mission of bringing people of different languages and cultures together during a presentation at the Marshall Rotary Club Thursday, Sept. 7. Tyler was promoting the upcoming Latin Independence Day celebration in Marshall Sept. 16. [Click to enlarge] |
The event also marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
In addition to the Miss Independencia contest, there will be food and music on the square. There will be crafts and games for children. And there will be a parade around the square at 11 a.m.
The parade will line up at 10 a.m. on North Street, east of the square facing west.
The route will be to take North Street west to Lafayette, Lafayette south to Arrow, Arrow east to Jefferson, Jefferson south to Morgan where it will disband, according to Police Chief Jim Simmerman.
Simmerman also reminded participants of the city's parade safety rules, which prohibit candy or other items of any kind from being thrown from any parade float or entry because children may run into the street and be injured or killed as a result of candy or other items being thrown from a parade float.
Anyone wishing to pass out candy to children during the parade is welcome to do that. They can walk along the parade route and hand out candy at the street curb line, Simmerman said.
ATV's are not allowed on the streets of Marshall nor during a parade except for "authorized parade officials" that possess a valid Missouri driver's license.
CLARO is a volunteer-run, donation-based organization located on East Arrow in Marshall, a half block east of the square that is devoted to supporting members of the community of Hispanic heritage and bridging the language and cultural gaps between Hispanic and non-Hispanic people.
Contact Eric Crump at