Hanover Park fiesta to mark Mexican freedom

Hanover Park Park District officials were the first in the area to organize a Mexican Independence Day fiesta.

And they continue to set the bar with their authentic celebration, which closely follows traditions observed in Mexico.

This year's fiesta takes place from 6 to 9 tonight at the Community Center Gym, 1919 Walnut Ave. A $5 admission, or $3 for children ages 3 and over, includes a Mexican dinner, a mariachi band, a folkloric ballet and children's activities.

"Ours is very much like what you'd see in any village in Mexico on Independence Day," says Lily Garcia, park district marketing supervisor. "The only things missing are the fireworks."

The event commemorates the uprising started by the Rev. Miguel Hidalgo, in the small town of Dolores, to resist the Spanish government on Sept. 16, 1810. That eventually led to Mexico's independence.

In Mexican villages, local elected officials are called upon at the stroke of midnight to re-enact Hidalgo's famous line, which is said to have launched the revolution: "Grito de Dolores," or "Cry of Dolores."

Tonight, it will be a representative from the Mexican Consulate in Chicago, Lino Santacruz, who will do the honors at approximately 8:15.

Hanover Park officials first organized the event four years ago as a way to celebrate Hispanic culture, they said, and draw more Latinos into park district activities.

From the first year, when they drew more than 700 people, they knew they had struck a chord with residents.

"Once we knew how popular it was, we started concentrating on making it a more quality event," Garcia said.

She's drawn Alfonso Aguilar from the Hispanic radio station Pasion 106.7-FM to serve as master of ceremonies tonight. But it's the performance groups that add the energy to the evening.

Raizes Mexicanas, the 50-member folkloric ballet based out of Mission Juan Diego Church in Arlington Heights, thrills audiences with its vivid costumes and dances representing different regions of Mexico. A mariachi band made up of Hanover Park residents brings the independence day fiesta, to life.

If you go

What: Hanover Park's Mexican Independence Day Celebration, featuring dinner, live entertainment and children's activities

Where: Community Center gym, 1919 Walnut Ave.

Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for children 3-10 years, free for children under 3

Information: (630) 837-2468