Soco’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar will serve as grand marshals in the 2025 Fort Mitchell Independence Day parade.
This year’s parade theme is “America: The Land of Opportunity,” and, according to a city announcement on Thursday, “is a perfect fit for the beloved family-owned restaurant celebrating 40 years of food, family and community,” said the announcement.
Originally called Montoya’s, the restaurant first opened on Chelsea Drive in 1985 when Socorro Ramirez, her daughter Aurelia Vivero (who goes by Lita) and her son Rafael Robles began serving authentic Mexican food out of their small dining space.
“Fort Mitchell has been absolutely blessed to have Socorro, Lita and Rafael included in its history for over 40 years. They are the heartbeat of local hospitality,” said Fort Mitchell Mayor Jude Hehman in the announcement. “I’ve been going there since I was a kid. We’d listen to Carlos sing live on weekend nights, and it always felt like a celebration.”
The business has grown over the years and “quickly became a community cornerstone,” according to the city.
“It was a shock, honestly. I was like, wow — what a privilege and what an honor,” said Vivero upon hearing the news of being named grand marshal. “This community has always supported us like family. We’ve been here for weddings, birthdays, graduations — and we’ve watched kids grow up into adults and bring in their own families.”
The parade will take place on July 4, starting at 12:30 p.m. at the DCCH Center Fairground and concluding at Beechwood Schools. You can register for the parade at the city’s website.
You can learn more about Soco’s at socosmexicanrestaurant.com.