New London ― The red, blue and yellow colors of the Ecuadorian flag decorated New London City Hall on Monday as community members celebrated the South American country’s Independence Day.

The fourth annual event in the city, organized by the local group Ecuador for the World, featured traditional dances, music, speeches and a flag raising.

The national public holiday in Ecuador, traditionally celebrated on Aug. 10, acknowledges the declaration of independence of what was then known as Quito from Spanish colonial rule in 1809. It is also known as Día del Primer Grito de Independencia de Quito.

A group of dancers wore traditional dress as they performed after the speeches. Mayte Fernandez danced while wearing a traditional mask Aya Huma, which represents an icon from the Ecuadorian highlands. The mask has two sides, to represent the night and day and sun and moon, and 12 horns to represent the months of the year.

She said her performance “fuses the ancestral with the modern, featuring the Amazonian highland and electric sounds.”

Fernandez is the chief executive officer and founder of Pachamay, a local art, therapy and music business. She uses various artistic disciplines to promote the well being of the body, mind and spirit through art, dance, music, education, experiences and wellness.

For Monica Reyes, one of the event organizers, remembering her native country’s independence is important not just for her but for everyone.

“It’s important to keep our traditions going even while far away from home,” she said. “We want to make sure Ecuadorian and Latino people have a community here.”

The music continued after the event ended and attendees danced in front of City Hall, waving flags and taking photos as they celebrated.