Hundreds of people and vehicles packed the northbound lanes and sidewalks of Michigan Avenue Friday night to kick off a weekend of Mexican Independence Day celebrations.
The line of cars, trucks and other vehicles — some with the Mexican flag draped over their hoods and others with people hanging out the windows — stretched from just south of East Jackson Boulevard up to East Wacker Drive, many beeping their horns in celebration.
People danced on the curb of Michigan Avenue and some in the street when the light was red, all waving variations of the Mexican flag with a few Palestinian and American flags mixed in.
About 11:30 p.m., after some large fireworks were set off near East Monroe Street, police began blocking off the northbound lanes of Michigan Avenue and diverting traffic into the southbound lanes toward I-90 while officers on foot cleared out some rowdier corners of the street.
Last year 86 people were arrested during the celebrations downtown, creating calls from some City Council members for a dedicated celebration for the holiday weekend.
Chicago police and Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) didn’t immediately respond to requests for information and comment.
This weekend’s festivities for Mexican Independence Day, which is Monday, will be the first time in more than a decade a sanctioned celebration will take place in the Loop. City officials hoped the event would help curb car caravans and deter unsanctioned demonstrations.
El Grito Chicago will run from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Grant Park’s Butler Field, with organizers promising musical performances from local and touring groups such as Banda Los Sebastianes and Selena the Show, food and beverages and an artisan market. Tickets range from $10 to $175 per person.
There’s also a Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade and an El Grito event in Pilsen, among other smaller events.
Contributing: Araceli Gomez-Aldana