West Chicago Mexican Independence Day festival canceled

Organizers of West Chicago’s annual Mexican Independence Day celebration have canceled this year’s festival.

The September event traditionally features a parade, mariachi and a giant piñata. But due to other commitments by the festival organizer, the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, there is “not sufficient time to plan a safe and successful event,” the group said in a joint statement with the city.

The center has been working on “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy,” a public art exhibit currently being showcased throughout DuPage County until October. Hand-painted replicas of the colossal heads of the ancient Olmec civilization have been installed in West Chicago and throughout the county.

Both the city and Cultural Center say they look forward to the return of the Mexican Independence Day Festival in 2025.