You’ve probably seen a lot of Mexican flags around Chicago this week. That’s because celebrations for Mexican Independence Day are kicking off this weekend.
Some street closures and traffic disruptions are expected in parts of the city as thousands will participate in the festivities.
It’s a weekend filled with Mexican pride as people take to the streets. In Little Village, blocks are decked out with the colors of the Mexican flag ahead of the annual Mexican Independence Day Parade on Sunday. The parade is a tradition in Chicago.
“We had to take it, not in a battle, but we had to take it by showing our culture,” said Theresa Fraga, a longtime Pilsen resident and a founder of Comité Cultural Mexicano de Chicago. “And it’s so colorful and so rich in history that we can’t keep it to ourselves.”
On Monday, Mexico commemorates the anniversary of the start of its decade-long revolution from Spain. As the story goes, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called on his town to stand strong and sounded the first battle cry, known as “El Grito,” to fight for Mexico’s independence in 1810. This moment in history has symbolized hope for the Mexican community.
“El Grito can happen in venues that are well known, but they can happen at home or in the streets,” Fraga said.
Fraga has been instrumental in organizing an annual Grito celebration in Pilsen. This year, the ceremony is taking place on Sunday outside the Benito Juarez Community Academy and will include food, music and student performances.
Meanwhile, at Butler Field in Grant Park, tents and a stage are being set up for a two-day Mexican festival scheduled for this weekend: El Grito Chicago.
“We feel that we wanted to bring an organized and a festive, fun and vibrant festival to the city of Chicago, to right downtown so people have an outlet,” said Korina Sanchez, one of the festival’s organizers.
Hispanics or Latinos as a whole make up 29% of the population of Chicago, with Meicans represending by far the greatest share at 73.9%, according to the U.S. census.
It has been more than a decade since the last Mexican festival took place downtown. Organizers said they have been working for two and half years to revive the cultural event.
The city-sponsored festival will feature a range of musical performances, including mariachi bands and traditional dancers, a variety of food options and an arts section curated by the National Museum of Mexican Art.
“This is not just about Mexicans to come and celebrate,” said Jamie di Paulo, president and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a host of the festival. “This is about opening our hearts to community members to come learn about our culture.”
Caravans have also played a significant role in Chicagoans’ celebrations. Lines of cars can be seen driving from Little Village to Lakeshore Drive, a form of expression that Fraga said gives people pride in proclaiming their identity.
“It’s for our city, our neighbors and for our children to embrace it and live it and love it,” Fraga said. “And now the caravans are representative of that expression.”
Police leaders have reportedly said there will be “zero tolerance” for any caravanning — but it’s unclear what that means as thousands of drivers have participated in the past.
The Chicago Police Department said it will close streets if necessary to control traffic. If the department does shut down areas of the Loop, there will be access points along Halsted Street, Division Street and Washington Boulevard, among others.