The Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California (MCCNC) is a community-based nonprofit cultural, arts, education, and community service organization established in 1992. Its mission is to enrich the Sacramento and Northern California communities through education, entertainment, and outreach activities that preserve Mexican heritage by fostering the cultural, artistic, and historical legacy of Mexico.
Throughout the year, the Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California (MCCNC) hosts, organizes, promotes and supports several annual programs that focus on California's rich Mexican heritage. The first event of the year is "Dia de La Bandera" (Mexican Flag Day) which is held on February 24 at Sutter's Fort. It is an educational field trip attended by fourth graders, their parents, teachers, school administrators and the public at large. It is presented and organized by MCCNC in collaboration with the California State Historical Parks at Sutter's Fort, the Sacramento Unified School District and the Mexican Consulate. The event focuses on early California and Mexican history and the important role of Sacramento.
Also in February, MCCNC partners with the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento, Cien Amigos and Cien Amigos Education Fund to organize, promote & support "Steps to College", an educational fair for high school students who want to attend college. Students can attend workshops on Financial Aid, Planning for College and take tours of UC Davis and/or CSU Sacramento. Students come from high schools in Sacramento and the surrounding counties. In addition, over fifty universities and community colleges participate.
In 2022, we collaborated with Casa de Español, and other local organizations, to celebrate El Día del Niño. This Mexican national holiday, Día del Niño (Children’s Day) celebrates children on April 30th of each year. El Día del Niño first started in the early 1920’s, way before the United Nations suggested that countries adopt a National Children’s Day in honor of the Children’s Rights Declaration of 1959. Many parents buy their children a gift, and schools hold big celebrations, complete with games, candy, music, performances, piñatas and much more.
In April, we also hold the "Recital de Rondallas." Three Rondallas perform including one from Mexico and Sacramento. The Rondalla is an ensemble of stringed instruments played with the plectrum or pick.
In June, MCCNC collaborates with the Mexican Consulate, Cien Amigos and Cien Amigos Education Fund in a scholarship application and selection process. Hundreds of scholarship applications are read and rated. The scholarships are then awarded at a special ceremony in the Fall.
The "Reina Fiestas Patrias" (Queen of Community Festivities) is usually held in early September. It has been a tradition in the Sacramento community for over 80 years and offers a lively competition for the title of "Reina." After months of rigorous training, it culminates with a public competition. The competition empowers the young college women to gain confidence in their creativity, public speaking, language, and leadership skills. The “Reina” and two “Princesa” finalists are granted a scholarship and serve as good-will ambassadors for a year.
On September 15, the re-enactment of "El Grito de Dolores (Cry of Independence) is held at the west steps of the California State Capitol. "El Grito" celebrations usher in Independence Day for Mexico. The event is rich in pageantry and immersed in Mexican artistry with musical/dance performances, costuming, mariachi and tasty Mexican foods. It is free to the public and draws audiences (over 5000) from throughout Northern California. The program includes a retelling of the original historical event culminating in the exhilarating "Grito" that is presided over by the Mexican Consul in Sacramento.
In October, MCCNC's Annual Gala Dinner is held for an evening featuring a spectacular presentation of Mexican Culture through its food, music, visual delights, dance and folkloric entertainment. The program also recognizes and celebrates an "Artist of the Year" and awards two scholarships to local college students interested in the arts.
In 2019, MCCNC had the honor to partner with the City of Sacramento, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Consulate of Mexico in Sacramento, the Jorge Marin Foundation, Cien Amigos and private donors to sponsor the delivery and display of Wings of the City, nine large bronze sculptures from Mexico City by the artist Jorge Marin. The sculptures were available for public viewing and interaction along the Capitol Mall and the plaza in front of the Cathedral.
Over the years, MCCNC has also collaborated with other local organizations like the Latino Center for Arts & Culture, Cien Amigos, U.C. International House, and Teatro Espejo to further cultural and social events consistent with MCCNC's mission.