Weather is no problema for Cinco de Mayo parade

Gray skies and sporadic rain couldn't stop the 10th annual Cinco de Mayo parade from dancing through the streets of Elgin.

The hundreds who took part in Saturday's event waited in a parking garage for 15 minutes while it rained on their parade route.

When the rain stopped pouring, the politicians, folk dancers, horses and Cadillac Escalades poured out of the garage and onto the moist streets of downtown Elgin.

The afternoon parade marked Mexico's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla and the start of festivities on the third day of the Downtown Neighborhood Association's Cinco de Mayo Festival.

Afterward, dozens of spectators and parade participants made their way to the parking lot at Grove Avenue and Kimball Street, where the festival continued through the day.

Tonya Hudson, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, said the cloudy skies over this year's festival did little to deter Elginites.

"We have more turnout than last year, and it's bad weather," Hudson said.

The improved lineup of events and entertainment may help explain that.

This year's festival boasted nightly live entertainment, karaoke and dance contests, a beauty pageant and a bigger and more eclectic parade.

"We have more of everything," Hudson said. "(The festival committee) just really wanted to make it a big, successful event, and as far as I'm concerned, it is."

Locals who stuck around after the parade could visit a dozen food vendors, walk around to local businesses' stalls, watch dance performances and go on carnival rides.

Hudson credited the large group of volunteers who worked behind the scenes of this year's festival for the event's success.

"When you have a big core of volunteers, it's going to be more successful," she said.

The festival, which started Thursday night, continues today with music and dance performances, carnival rides and the finals of the karaoke and dance competitions.