A sea of green, white and red flags flew in downtown Chicago on Sunday as Mexican Independence Day revelers enjoyed the second and final day of the El Grito Chicago festival at Butler Field in Grant Park.
It was the first time in more than 10 years that a sanctioned Mexican Independence Day celebration was held downtown, and some attendees hope it becomes a yearly event.
“I think having it downtown is the most successful spot for it to be. I think it’s cool,” said Nico Jopio, who lives in West Town. “I think it’ll be even bigger and better with each year that it comes back.”
The festival was expected to draw about 24,000 attendees this weekend. It is organized by the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago, Grito 916 and Choose Chicago, in conjunction with the city and state.
A spokesperson for the festival said Sunday afternoon that it was “too early to tell” whether the event is considered a success as it was still ongoing.
Sunday’s lineup for the family-friendly festival included live music from Esteban Gabriel, Mariachi Monumental and others. The consul general of Mexico in Chicago also hosted a civic ceremony honoring El Grito De Independencia, which translates to “The Cry of Independence.”
It honors Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who rang his church bell and gave a speech that marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810.
Veronica Villegas, who is from the Mexican state of Michoacan and has lived in Chicago for more than 20 years, also hoped the festival carries on.
“It feels like we are starting to be accepted as part of the city.” said Villegas in Spanish. “It feels like they are giving us equal attention as other nationalities who have celebrations downtown.”
But Villegas didn’t agree with the city also attempting to curb unsanctioned celebrations within neighborhoods by closing down some streets in Little Village and Albany Park.
“It would be good if they allowed celebrations within the communities, because there are places that you aren’t allowed to celebrate,” she said.
The downtown festival comes as the city tries to control the flow of car caravans, alleging they cause traffic and safety issues. Last year, the caravans led to crowd control problems, traffic chaos and 86 arrests, according to Ald. Brian Hopkins’ (2nd) office. Hopkins didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment or information.
There have been some arrests this year. Police reported two arrests Friday night as crowds downtown were being cleared from sidewalks near Michigan Avenue, which was packed with traffic. One man was taken into custody after officers “observed his vehicle with two large wooden sticks protruding from the windows.” Officers determined the man had an active arrest warrant.
The other man was taken into custody after officers saw him driving while drinking what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage, police said. Officers also determined he had an active arrest warrant.
Traffic also packed Michigan Avenue on Saturday night, and one person was arrested for allegedly striking an officer in the hand while officers were dispersing a crowd, police said.
The city has closed off some streets downtown to try and prevent car caravans from creating gridlock, and CTA buses were rerouted between East Roosevelt Road and East Wacker Drive temporarily Saturday and Sunday night. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communication has identified “access points” for residents and people who work in the area.
Street closures are in effect for the Central Business District due to traffic congestion. Access points are available for those who live and work in the area. Please allow for additional travel time. pic.twitter.com/R5OdjlHFUK
— Chicago OEMC (@ChicagoOEMC) September 16, 2024
Expect increased traffic in the downtown area. If necessary, expect street closures in the Central Business District along with diversions to control traffic flow. Plan accordingly and allow extra time if traveling in the area. pic.twitter.com/j1KIDRf78z
— Chicago OEMC (@ChicagoOEMC) September 15, 2024
Evelyn Carmona, Villegas’ daughter, thinks there is extra scrutiny for Mexican Independence Day celebrations when compared with other ethnic and cultural festivities.
“Its kind of disappointing because all the streets are blocked off,” she said. “You see that bias.”
Abraham Sanchez, 31, who lives in Old Irving Park, said it seems the festival is the only place where residents are allowed to celebrate because of all the closures.
“It’s liberating, because they closed down a lot of streets, so where else are we going to celebrate?” he said, adding that the car caravans “are fine as long as they don’t damage anything.”
Carmona considered the festival a success, but she’s just not sure about the closures and restrictions.
Contributing: Erica Thompson, Araceli Gomez-Aldana