Naperville's Hispanic Heritage Fest returns for third year Sept. 16

As part of the Mexican Independence Day celebration, the Naperville Sister Cities Foundation is hosting its third Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Sept. 16, in downtown Naperville.

The foundation partners with Nitra, Slovakia, Patzcuaro, Mexico and Cancun, Mexico, to facilitate cultural, business, and educational understanding between Naperville residents and those cities. Promoting the diversity that is Naperville.

Enjoy the flavors of Hispanic cuisine while watching performances of live music and dance from 6 to 9 p.m. in Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave. in downtown Naperville. The marketplace will open at 5 p.m.

"The commission together with the foundation worked tirelessly to find unique cultural music by Mariachi Gavilanes, plus food and events designed to be fun for all ages," said Patty Gustin, Sister Cities Foundation.

The entertainment stage, led by emcee and past Fest Award recipient Rena Calabrese, will feature music by Mariachi Los Gavilanes de Chicago and dances by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl with special guest Goyo Cruz.

The DuPage Hispanic Alliance will host a children's area, offering fun and enriching cultural activities. Children's activities and games will include a potato sack race, hopscotch, rope pulling, and art in the park.

This year the Naperville Hispanic Festival is offering outdoor Warhol-inspired art. Take a selfie and share it on social media.

While downtown, visit the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair or take a map tour through the centuries of local art by downloading the Century Walk map.

For a full list of activities, visit www.napervillehispanicfest.com.

The Naperville Sister Cities Foundation is a nonprofit committed to connecting Naperville and its citizens other communities around the world.

The Sister City Program was initiated in 1956 as a creative force for international cooperation and goodwill through community action. Naperville's participation in the program started in 1993 as the Naperville Sister Cities Commission, and the Naperville Sister Cities Foundation was formed in 1999. The foundation sponsors programs designed to foster inclusivity and diversity through cultural, education, and business exchange between Naperville and its sister cities.