New fair acts aim to draw more Latinos

While you're eating that funnel cake Sunday at the DuPage County Fair, don't be caught off-guard if you find yourself in the audience of a makeshift mariachi concert.

Sunday at the fair traditionally offers music and entertainment aimed at suburban Latinos. And the acts are beginning to gain a following.

Olivia Escalante, who helps manage the Mariachi Morelos Band that will roam the fairgrounds from 2 to 5 p.m., said the band always enjoys good vibes from the crowd.

"It seems like every place they stop, people like it," Escalante said. "People even ask us when we'll be at the fair."

At 7:30 p.m., Grupo Costa Alegre Band, which performed at previous DuPage County Fairs under the name Simberos, will take the stage in the entertainment tent.

Fair organizers said fairgoers have enjoyed dancing and singing along with both bands in past years, which is why they are returning.

"(Latinos) are getting to be a big part of our area and they've got music and dance that all of us like to listen to," said fair manager Ellen Sietmann.

In addition, throughout each day of the fair, members of the Espana Extreme Aerial Stunt Show will show off risky feats like the sky cycle and bungee trapeze. Acrobats Noe, Ivan and Vivien Espana are the fifth generation in a long list of circus performers, who have been performing acrobatic stunts since their childhood in Mexico.

Organizers say they think targeted formats like Latino day will make the fair more viable in years to come.

"We want to reach more people in DuPage and get them to come out and enjoy our fair," McGuire said. "We are always open to suggestions from residents of other things we can do and bring to the fair. because that's what this is about: celebrating the people of DuPage County."