Volunteers to take West Chicago's Mexican Independence Day to new heights

West Chicago, Illinois: June 14, 2013 - Growing interest and support in West Chicago's Mexican Independence Day Celebration, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15, on Main Street from noon to 8 p.m. rain or shine, will take the event to new heights this year.

Disappointed over the cancellation of last year's event due to the lack of available volunteers and vendors, a strong and active committee formed earlier this year to plan the upcoming event which will celebrate history, culture and pride.

Among the participants who are contributing time, talent and resources are: Jorge Muñoz, Shannon Burns, Gaby Lopez, Rosalinda Delgado, Pedro Porcayo, Julio Garcia, Viviana Cuautle, Denise Toxtle, Juan Galvan, Mireya Garcia-Carrasco, Melissa Birch, Fernando Ramirez, Tom Tawney, Sara Phalen, Dominique Roman, Fabiola Garcia, and Eduardo and Luzma Fuentes. Because of the level of interest in coordinating this year's event, monthly planning meetings have been scheduled both in the morning and also in the evening, to accommodate the schedules of those involved and make it convenient for maximum participation.

Led by Valeria Lopez of the City of West Chicago, the groups are tasked with coordinating a day-long celebration that begins with a parade through neighborhood streets followed by a reenactment of El Grito, the ringing of the bell that signaled Mexico's independence from Spanish tyranny in 1810. Plus, volunteers will provide and assemble street and stage decorations; organize craft, food and business vendors; arrange entertainment; and showcase Mexican history and culture through exhibits and displays. Representatives of the City of West Chicago Police and Public Works Departments, and West Chicago Fire Protection District staff, have been supporting committee efforts to ensure all logistics and safety issues are met.

“This event has been reinvigorated by the energy of a group of people who didn't want to see a 21-year old tradition die. They stepped up to the plate and brought a fresh enthusiasm for sharing their love for the culture, traditions and heritage of Mexico,” said Mayor Ruben Pineda.

Applications for craft and food vendors, parade participants, not-for-profit organizations and local businesses are available online at www.westchicago.org under Forms.