Hanover Park church celebrates Mexico's independence

The sound of Mexican folk music filled the air Saturday during the annual Mexican Independence Day festival at St. Ansgar Catholic Church in Hanover Park.

In the large, grassy area next to the church, horses danced while a train filled with children wound its way through the parking lot.

Some navigated through the throngs, carrying plates loaded with homemade tacos, tamales and flautas. Others sat under a tent playing loteria, a game similar to bingo that uses cards instead of numbered Ping-Pong balls.

In the parking lot behind the Laurel Avenue church, a clown entertained young children and families. Nearby, older kids bounced in a moonwalk, rode a mechanical bull and sped around on motorized scooters that looked like giant stuffed animals.

For five years, St. Ansgar's, a parish that is 90 percent Hispanic, has hosted the annual celebration marking Mexico's independence from Spain. It followed the annual parade which began at the church at noon.

"Our parishes in Mexico have these festivals all the time. We wanted to have something similar," said Rev. Eduardo Garcia-Ferrer.

"It's important for people to know our culture, our beliefs," said Veronica Gurrolo who attended the festival with her mother Bernardina.

The daylong festival also serves as the primary fundraiser for the church, which counts 2,400 families among its members, said Garcia-Ferrer who estimated attendance at about 4,000 parishioners and non-parishioners.

A family-centered event, the festival includes music, children's entertainment and food "as authentic as you can get," Garcia-Ferrer said.

"It's a way for the church to let (members of the congregation) know we are with them and we value where they came from," he said.

But the celebration always has been and always will be open to everyone.

"All are welcome," he said.