East Los Angeles is celebrating Mexican Independence Day in style, replete with a free parade and festival.
The festivities kick off at 10 a.m. Sunday with a parade that starts on the corner of Cesar Chavez and Mednik avenues. Actor Armando Silvestre will be the grand marshal and NBC4 meteorologists Belen De Leon and Anthony Yanez, as well as Traffic Anchor Alysha Del Valle, will also be in attendance.
The "Grand Festival," which includes performances and giveaways, will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Mexican Civic Patriotic Committee expects more than 50,000 people to gather and enjoy the range of Mexican music, dances and foods on offer.
Local dignitaries will also be in attendance, including Los Angeles Councilmembers Hilda Solis, Jose Huizar and Gil Cedillo, as well as California state Sen. Kevin de León.
