LITTLE VILLAGE — Nearly 500,000 people are expected to visit Little Village this weekend to celebrate Fiestas Patrias, a holiday that marks Mexico’s independence from Spain.
The 25th annual Festival de La Villita (Little Village Festival) will feature music, crafts, Mexican cuisine and more this Friday to Sunday at 26th Street and Kostner Avenue.
The 26th Street Mexican Independence Day parade — the highlight of the weekend — will begin at noon Sunday. The 45th annual parade kicks off from Albany Avenue and proceeds west on 26th Street to Kostner Avenue.
Mexican television personality and game show host Marco Antonio Regil will serve as this year’s parade grand marshal. Regil currently hosts the Spanish-language version of the Family Feud, according to Jaime di Paulo, executive director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
Gov. Pat Quinn, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and dozens of Latino leaders are also scheduled to be in attendance.
In the past, the fest has attracted crowds from the suburbs and even neighboring states, di Paulo said.
On Saturday, the Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade will kick off at noon at Newberry Avenue and 18th Street. The parade will head west on 18th Street to Wolcott Street.
Admission to Festival de La Villita is free, and the fest is open 6-11 p.m. Friday and 2-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
A portion of the festival proceeds benefit community programs and services of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
