Elgin's Cinco de Mayo to be grande

It's only in its third year, but Elgin's Cinco de Mayo festival is going grande this year.

"This year, we've taken everything to the max. It will be a much bigger festival," said Tonya Hudson, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association. "It's really more of everything."

The festival runs from Thursday through Sunday downtown at the southwest corner of North Grove Avenue and Kimball Street.

Hudson estimated between 5,000 and 6,000 people attended last year.

With more bands, dance performances and new events, three times the food booths and the much-anticipated parade, organizers are hoping for about 7,000 to 8,000 in attendance.

The parade begins at noon Saturday at the Spring Street parking deck, heads north on Spring, turns west on Symphony Way and ends at the festival site.

The live entertainment lineup includes: La Union de Chicago at 9 p.m. Friday; Banda Caliente at 8 p.m. Saturday; and La Luz de Ande at 1:30 p.m., Mariachi Morelos at 4 p.m. and Banda Tariacuri at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Some other highlights are karaoke and dance competitions. Finalists will be chosen Thursday, Friday and Saturday to compete in the finals for prizes on Sunday.

Also planned are a special Quinceanera Pageant for girls 15 to 17 and a Little Miss Cinco de Mayo Pageant for girls as old as 12 on Saturday.

Victor Hernandez, Downtown Neighborhood Association president and owner of Elgin Jewelers, credited a strong group of volunteers for planning and publicizing the event.

Hernandez also thanked business owners for their support through sponsorships.

"Last year, we were knocking on doors. This year, they're knocking on our door," he said. "The energy is there."

In past years, one of the festival's days was actually May 5.

A downside for event organizers is the fact that May 5 lands on a Monday this year, but it hasn't deterred organizers from planning the fun.

"We would have extended it to Monday," Hernandez said. "This is the first year it fell on a Monday, unfortunately."

If you go

What: The Cinco de Mayo carnival and festival, sponsored by the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the city of Elgin.

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Southwest corner of North Grove Avenue and Kimball Street, downtown Elgin.

More: For details, call (847) 888-1456 or visit www.downtownelgin.org