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Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
Cicero, IL — More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the celebration of Mexican Independence and El Grito this weekend in the Town of Cicero.
The annual Cicero celebration, which begins Thursday, Sept. 14, will feature an array of popular Hispanic entertainment, a wide range of food vendors, carnival rides, and activities for families and children. The Festival will end with a parade on Sunday, Sept. 17.
The festival is being held at the Cicero Fairgrounds at 34th and Laramie Avenue. The Mexican Independence parade, the event’s biggest attraction, will kick-off on Sunday at noon on Cermak Road beginning at 50th Avenue west towards 59th Court.
The cap for the event is El Grito, which will be held Sunday evening beginning at 9 PM on the mainstage at the fairgrounds.
“No other municipality comes close to the level of the celebration that the Town of Cicero hosts to honor the heritage of Mexican Americans,” said Town President Larry Dominick.
“This festival has grown every year since we reorganized it in 2006. It offers something for everyone in our community, seniors, families, and young people.”
President Dominick said the four-day festival will feature 12 different Mexican bands and entertainers on the main stage with Mariachi and folkloric entertainment throughout the weekend.
Featured Mexican American entertainers include: Mayito, El Primo y la Invasion del Norte, Los Grey, Banda Sincera, Banda Desvastadora, Herradero Show, Los Caminantes, Heroes Del Norte, Malo, Los Yonic’s, Distinta Generacion, and Guardianes Del Amor.
“This festival is a celebration for people of every ethnicity and national origin and is a part of our annual calendar of events that include AmericanFest and the Czech Harvest Festival, Houby Day on Sunday, October 8,” said Dominick.
Cicero Police officials noted that the Mexican Independence festival and parade will require temporary street closures on Sunday Sept. 17. And they said there will be street closures the day before because of a city event on 26th Street.
Cermak Road will be closed from Cicero Avenue to Austin Boulevard beginning at 11:00 AM on Sunday for the Cicero Mexican Independence Parade until 4 PM.
Traffic on 26th Street headed east (towards the city of Chicago) will be temporarily closed on Saturday Sept. 16 from 11 AM until 4 PM because of the city of Chicago’s local parade plans.
Traffic will be diverted to Ogden Avenue, where they can travel east and west. The Chicago 26th Street Parade will have Kostner Avenue closed at 26th Street in all directions.
For more information on the festival, visit the Town of Cicero’s website at www.TheTownofCicero.com.
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