The sounds of a guitar and accordion from Chicago band, Los K-Bros, filled Grant Park Saturday afternoon, as thousands of revelers jumped inside bounce houses, browsed shops and sampled quesadillas and elotes to celebrate Mexican Independence Day at the “El Grito” festival downtown.
“We came to celebrate our ethnicity,” said Liz Castelan, a 37-year-old resident of the Austin neighborhood. “We’re proud of our culture, and we’re proud of our freedom.”
Castelan said her 4-year-old son recently started asking about Mexican heritage, and the festival seemed like a perfect opportunity for him to learn more while enjoying good music and tacos. Her 2-year-old daughter and 2-month-old son also tagged along.
Billed as a family-friendly event, El Grito Chicago marks the first central downtown celebration of the Sept. 16 holiday in a decade, honoring “Mexican history, culture and gastronomy,” according to its website. El Grito or “the Cry of Independence,” marks the beginning of Mexico’s fight for independence from Spain.
City officials and Mexican leaders also organized the two-day festival on Saturday and Sunday in part to help deter the car caravans that have dominated the streets in recent years, which have led to concerns about safety, traffic delays and arrests.
“We contribute to this country, to this city, in incredible ways economically, socially, politically and culturally. We pay thousands and thousands in taxes in the city,” Jaime di Paulo, president and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, told the Tribune. “Our community deserves the space and the time to be celebrated downtown.”
Friends Fabian Godina and Areli Salazar, both 22, made the two-hour trip to the festival from downstate Normal after seeing an advertisement on TikTok. The bands, dancing and delicious food made the commute worth it, they said.
“We (Mexicans) really work hard for everything we do in our lives,” Godina said. “It’s fun to celebrate it, and show who we are.”
“The way that everybody comes together and celebrates,” Salazar added. “We haven’t been to anything Mexican .. where we live in Normal we don’t have this type of stuff. We have to come here for everything, but we really enjoy it.”
The Mexican flag was displayed on the fence surrounding the main stage, while many attendees wrapped themselves in one or dressed in green, white and red. Outside the park, vehicles waved the flag through the streets.
Organizers expect 10,000 people per day to attend the festival, which also includes art activities, like paper flowers and ceramic painting, from the National Museum of Mexican Art, soccer clinics for kids from Chicago Fire and performances from Ballet Folklórico de Chicago, the largest Mexican folkloric dance group in the Midwest.
On Sunday, the consul general of Mexico will host a free official commemoration of El Grito at the Petrillo Bandshell in Grant Park. Tickets range from $10 to $175 per person.
In the past, Michelle Munoz, 30, said she celebrated the holiday downtown, joining the thousands caravanning through the streets waving flags and yelling “Viva México.” When she heard about the festival, she said she was excited and immediately purchased a ticket.
“It’s pretty smart to do this. They get money out of it, and it lifts up all bridges,” she said. “Everybody’s already here, and I’ve been seeing all cultures here. It’s really nice.”
