Fiestas Patrias celebrates Mexican, Hispanic cultures in Aurora
Twenty children and teens carrying flags of South and Central American nations welcomed visitors to the second day of Fiestas Patrias on Saturday afternoon in Aurora.
Representing countries including Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay and Chile, participants in the Parade of Nations wore bright costumes as they recited their nation’s capital onstage.
“The kids are living flagpoles,” said Delia Nila Basile, a member of the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board who created the Parade of Nations five years ago.
Although Fiestas Patrias is a celebration of Mexican Independence Day, it’s important to recognize the heritage of other countries, said Diana Torres, chairwoman of the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board.
“Oftentimes we think being Latino means being Mexican, but we’re showing there’s more than that,” Torres said.
Teresa Valencia’s daughters Briana Camacho, 12, and Viviana Camacho, 9, participated in the Parade of Nations representing Brazil and Venezuela.
“I think that’s the only way they know where they come from and learn about the culture,” said Valencia, of Oswego.
Later in the day, Aztec dancers and musical performers took center stage at the festival held in the North River Street parking lot. Carnival rides were in full swing and vendors sold gorditas, huaraches and sherbet treats kicked up a notch with spices.
In the second year of running Fiestas Patrias, the Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce expanded the size of the festival grounds, extended the length from two days to three and tried to include more facets of the community, said Rene Cruz, chamber president.
“It’s nice to see how it’s grown,” said Christina Campos, Aurora Township supervisor.
Sponsors such as Verizon Wireless and the Chicago Fire brought free activities like life-size foosball, a soccer target game and a bounce house. Offering free activities for kids — organized by the Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board — at the festival helps keep alive the spirit of a Mexican independence event formerly held in Aurora called Fiesta de Luces, Cruz said.
“The meaning behind Fiesta de Luces is here,” Cruz said. “We’ve been able to continue that.”
Fiestas Patrias continues Sunday, starting at 9:15 a.m., at the corner of River and Benton streets for a pre-parade ceremony and running until 8 p.m. on North River Street between Spruce and Vine.