LITTLE VILLAGE — Plenty of Mexican food, music and dancing will be going on at the 24th annual Little Village Festival this weekend, which culminates with Sunday’s Mexican Independence Day Parade.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be in attendance and Olympian boxer David Diaz, the parade's grand marshall, will receive a special honor from Gov. Pat Quinn's office, according to Little Village Chamber of Commerce executive director Nilda Esparza.
Esparza said there will also be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for restoration done on the 26th Street arch on Sunday, time TBA.
Entrance admission is free at the festival, which includes two music stages, arts and crafts, over 100 vendors – including restaurants Taco Nietos and El Asador – and carnival rides.
The parade – which celebrates the beginning of Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1810 – starts at Albany Avenue and proceeds west on 26th Street to Kostner Avenue.
The fest runs Friday from 6-11 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 2-11 p.m.