SEATTLE — In its eighth year of celebrating the "special connection" between Mexico and Washington state - MEXAM NW Festival kicks off on Saturday.
The multi-event festival runs through Oct. 19.
According to the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle - the festival highlights the innovative approach to cultural diplomacy, business, arts, and culture of Mexico.
The festival features 30 events over more than a month with celebrations around Puget Sound and in eastern Washington.
Many events will include traditional food, art, and dancing.
"We get to celebrate Mexico in a special region which is the Pacific Northwest," said Héctor Godoy, head consul of the Mexican Consulate in Seattle. "The United States and Mexico truly has a shared community."
Godoy said the U.S. and Mexico have a shared community.
"The reality is over the last 20 years we have seen a negative flow of migration from the United States to Mexico which means a lot of Mexicans are returning to Mexico," Godoy said. "However, the reality is also that Americans now make up about 60 percent of new migrants to Mexico. So, we have seen a rise of July 4th celebrations in Mexico, which brings us to [having a] truly have a shared community. We have people who go to Mexico from the United States and those who come to the United States from Mexico."
These celebrations are key to recognizing a shared culture.
The consulate hosts MEXAM NW Festival and presented by Delta - Aeromexico Airlines. It has support from multiple partners.
Godoy said he is most looking forward to El Grito on Sept. 15 at Town Hall Seattle. The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. to commemorate the launch of the Mexican independence movement.
"That's something that's very special," Godoy said.
There will be a concert at El Grito which also starts National Hispanic Heritage Month.
For a full list of events, click here.