West Chicago's Mexican Independence festival expands to two days

Thanks to more community ownership, West Chicago's Mexican Independence Day celebration will span two days instead of one this weekend, organizers said.

"Our turnout last year was phenomenal," said Sara Phalen, a board member for the Mexican Cultural Center of DuPage, which took over the celebration from the city after the event went on a one-year hiatus in 2014. "I think a lot of that had to do with the Mexican Cultural Center asking the entire community to get involved."

Organizers said between 1,500 and 2,000 people attended last year's festival and they hope at least 3,000 will attend this year.

The festival starts Saturday in downtown with family-friendly activities from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. A soccer tournament will kick off in the morning and run through Sunday. At 5 p.m., the community is invited to see a mural by visiting artist Juan Chawuk as it's dedicated in Gallery 200's temporary site at 103 W. Washington St.

In addition, the West Chicago Elementary District 33 folklorico dance group will perform at 5:30 p.m., and a group from the Mariachi Heritage Foundation, which teaches kids attending Chicago Public Schools how to play mariachi music, will take the stage at 6 p.m. Music from Mariachi Michoacan will fill the downtown from 7 to 9 p.m.

Phalen said there also will be about 20 vendors set up downtown, selling food and promoting local businesses and organizations.

The second day of the event will begin with a parade that steps off at noon from Leman Middle School, travels over the Wilson Street bridge and heads into downtown.

At 1 p.m. the Consulate General of Mexico from Chicago will lead a re-enactment of "El Grito," or the cry of independence made by revolutionary Miguel Hidalgo. In Mexico, "El Grito" is considered the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, which is celebrated Sept. 16.

In the afternoon, there will be horse dancing on Main Street and traditional dance performances. At 4 p.m., the newly crowned Miss Mexican Heritage winners will be presented and soccer awards will be distributed. The festivities will conclude at 5 p.m. with the release of confetti from a 13-foot piñata.

While the event draws many Mexican-Americans who want to celebrate their heritage, Phalen said there are a lot of other residents who attend to support diversity in their community.

"It's a great, festive environment," she said. "It's a great celebration of the heritage of the Mexican immigrants who have come to West Chicago and the Mexican-Americans who have made such a difference in West Chicago. It's just a really great way to pay homage to that long history."