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Humboldt Park to Add Flag Signs to Mark 20th Anniversary of Gateway Icons

By Darryl Holliday | June 19, 2015 8:14am | Updated on June 19, 2015 8:22am
 Leaders along Paseo Boricua say they'll install a set of Latin American flags along Division St.
Leaders along Paseo Boricua say they'll install a set of Latin American flags along Division St.
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HUMBOLDT PARK — On Saturday, the 37th Annual Puerto Rican People’s Parade will be celebrated in Humboldt Park along with the 20th anniversary of the designation of the neighborhood's Puerto Rican cultural district with its two iconic flags.

The 59-foot pieces of public art depict the Puerto Rican flag and serve as a gateway to the stretch of Humboldt Park along Division Ave. between California and Western avenues, known as Paseo Boricua.

To mark the 20 years, local leaders say they aim to install a set of Latin American steel flags on light poles along Division St. The installations will “launch the historic expansion of Paseo Boricua to include Latin American restaurants and entertainment,” according to a statement from Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th) and Puerto Rican Cultural Center Director Jose Lopez.

Lopez and the Humboldt Park alderman are set to announce the new street signs alongside Latin American Consul Generals in Chicago at Nellie’s Restaurant, 2458 W. Division St. on Friday at 10:30 a.m., according to a statement from Maldonado’s office.

Designs for the flags are underway but, when complete, the street signs will signify another step in “making Division Street’s Paseo Boricua the only place in Chicago to showcase the cultural and culinary offerings of all the countries of Latin America,” according to Maldonado’s office.

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center will also take the opportunity to announce Grand Marshals for the 37th Annual Puerto Rican People’s Parade, which kicks off June 20 in Humboldt Park featuring the United Baseball League of Humboldt Park, the Youth Baseball Leagues of Humboldt Park and the Cocineros Unidos of Humboldt Park, among others.

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