Arlington Park hosts Latino festival for its 10th year

Arlington Park Racecourse will host the 10th annual celebration of the largest and longest running Chicago suburban Latino Festival, Fiesta In The Park, on Sunday July 17.

Growing in size and scope through the years along with the suburban Latino community (more than 2 million in Illinois and more than 1 million in the Chicago area suburbs), this bilingual, bicultural day at Arlington Park is expected to draw approximately 12,000 attendees.

Fiesta In The Park is a family-friendly festival celebrating the rich and varied traditions of the Latino community along with the exciting sport of thoroughbred horse racing. With an array of regional and nationally recognized entertainment, headliners include the Chicago Fire soccer team, Mariachi Perla de Mexico, Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl and the Grammy Award nominee Angel Melendez & The 911 Mambo Band.

Each year, this special bilingual event continues to grow in attendance with both Latinos and the greater community.

“Fiesta In The Park is now considered a legacy event, drawing Latinos from throughout the suburbs annually,” said Jerry Campagna, president of MST Latino, and promoter of Fiesta since its inception in 2002.

“Fiesta In The Park is our way of celebrating the contributions Latinos have made to the sport of horse racing, both on the track with our jockeys and through the venue with our staff,” added Ken Kiehn, Arlington Park’s vice president of sales, marketing and guest services.

“It’s also our way of celebrating the rich Latino culture which has grown with our communities in the western suburbs.”

Fiesta in the Park

Admission $8; free for ages 17 and younger accompanied by an adult

SUNDAY JULY 17

11:15 a.m. Gates open

11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Petting zoo and pony rides

Noon-12:30 p.m. Jockey autograph session

12:30-4:30 p.m. Face painting (13-younger)

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Los 5 Magnificos de la Quebradita dance group

1-5:30 p.m. Thoroughbred horse racing

1:30-3:30 p.m. Mariachi Perla de Mexico

1-2:30 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl

2-3 p.m. Chicago Fire Soccer Team

2:30-3:30 p.m. Chicago Latino Street Dance Company

3-5:30 p.m. Angel Melendez & The 911 Mambo Band

5:30 p.m. Chicago Latino Street Dance Company