Yes for one or two weeks Chicago goes a little Mexican Independence Day Chicago parades and festivities in colors. Despite the fact that many people around the world connect Cinco de Mayo to Mexican culture, it is a Mexican Independence Day – a celebration of a much bigger event that reflects the Mexican people’s fight for freedom from Spain rule. Turning point came on the 16th of September 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo had released the Grito de Dolores which signaled the start of the revolution. Thus, given that there is a rather big Mexican-American population in Chicago, a great number of activities is organize throughout the city for the celebration of this day.
Reason why the Mexican Independence Day is very vital.
This is the reason behind Mexican Independence Day since this marked the beginning of a revolution that would take Mexico more than a decade to freely gain independence from Spain. The given celebration is dedicate to those, who struggled for freedom and the sovereignty of the country: Miguel Hidalgo, José María Morelos, and others. In Mexico this day is celebrate by patriotic ceremonies, parades, ringing of bells calling for freedom as Hidalgo did.
For the Mexican residing in Chicago, this is the time they get to embrace their culture, to introduce the youth to their ways alive and to educate them on the importance of embracing one’s culture. Celebration of the Mexican Independence Day in Chicago is not only the celebration but it is a way to keep the culture alive and at the same time to let people what they are all about.
In this paper, the history of Mexican Independence Day Chicago
Chicago specifically is one of the biggest cities in the United States with a large number of Mexico origin residents. Over the years, the city has adopted this demographic’s way of living especially during the Mexican Independence Day celebration. Starting just as small and localize street parties in Mexico-American neighborhoods in Chicage. The events have now expand and are held city-wide, drawing in crowds in the thousands.
These celebrations are center in two of the most Mexican neighborhoods of Chicago; Pilsen and the Little Village. Murals and Mexican art are well-present in Pilsen, the city turns into a canvas of pride to Mexicans every year. Similarly during this festive season, Little Village the ‘Mexico of the Midwest’ is characterize with parades, music and local foods vendors.
Pride Parade in Milwaukee
The celebration usually features the annual Mexican Independence Day Parade that is highly favor by people from the Mexican community in Chicago. The flascinating annual event is usually staged at Little Village and it is customary to see thousands of people from all over the Chicago as well as nearby suburbs attending the spectacle. Onlookers watching float with families students tourists marching and people of organizations in traditional outfit Are Families, students, tourists and people out on the streets in their joyful spirit moving with pride across float and displaying dancers in the sweet traditional Mexican backdrop.
It usually follows the usual norms of formations composed of a “Mariachi,” folk dancers and other lively performances. Public officials, community leaders and members of the Mexican Consulate tend to attend the event as most of the Mexican-Americans residing in the United States are active in civic activities and engage and support the local government.
It goes up and down 26th Street of the Little Village that has numerous stores owned by Mexicans, which also sell souvenirs making the atmosphere more lively. This street, which is active most of the time due to the various types of businesses present in the neighborhood, is even more alive as the parade comes through, and music, cheers and the Mexican national anthem can be hear filling the air.
Celebrating New Year with fireworks and festivals in Chicago.
That should be add, another tradition that is characteristic of the Mexican independence day festivities in Chicago is the fireworks, which enliven the dark night. These pyrotechnics are also tie with music and it is quite nice to end the day which is full of celebrations. Some of these parades are organize in places like Navy Pier, and in different parks in the city where different communities inclusive of the Mexican-Americans
Thus, together with the fireworks, it is possible to speak about several festivals held in Chicago. Such festivities usually incorporate Food, Cultural troupes, and a market whereTaqueria visitors can purchase delaying retail food and fine art crafts. One of them is mentioning the Fiesta del Sol which is a large family orientate fiesta occurring in Pilsen that celebrates Mexican traditions and people. Despite being technically celebrate in late July or early August it assists in preparation of the September’s Independence Day celebrations.
It is also important to keep in the mind the El Grito event when the Mexican Consulate in Chicago recreates the “cry of Dolores” which marked the beginning of the battle for liberation. This event is a serious one, but joyful, where people feel the belonging to the Mexican heritage.
Food and music are key to community heritage celebrations
If there is going to be a celebration of Mexican Independence Day in Chicago, it would be impossible not to taste the creamy good food or the mesmerizing rhythmic tunes that emanates from the Mexican folks. Some of the occasions of Mexican foods within town include but not limit to; tacos al pastor, tamales, pozole and great of all. Chiles in nogada; a food recognize with Mexico’s independence day from it is made of red, white and green which are colors of Mexico’s flag.
Vegetable and food vendors commonly deploy their stalls along the parade route and festival areas such that consumers can enjoy freshly prepared snacks including elotes (Mexican street corn), tostadas, and quesadillas. Food plays a critical role in celebration where people gather and have a taste of foods affiliated to Mexicans.
Music also has its part to play in setting the festivities mood. It is customary for bands, mariachis, music and dance troupes to perform at Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day including Mariachi, norteño, and other Mexican groups. The Mexican music is in every corner of Little Village and Pilsen, from sellers playing traditional music and the contemporary Mexican pop music, to local artists paying homage to famous Mexican musicians.
Community and Cultural Pride of Mexican Independence Day Chicago
Thus Mexican Independence Day Chicago is not merely a historical landmark for the Mexican-Americans in Chicago but a way to be proud of their roots. That is why for multiple generations of families, the cheerful ceremonies discussed above become the time of sharing and creating traditions as well as getting to know new stories and strengthening the sense of unity.
The holiday also has a reminder function in terms of expressing a gesture of appreciation to the part of Mexican-Americans in the contribution they brought to the city of Chicago. Not only local business enthusiasts, musicians, teachers, governors, everyone becomes a cultural businessman of the city. The annual celebrations are as such an affirmation of the strength and fascinating influence of this young dynamic population.
Mexican Independence Day Chicago: How to Get Involved
So if you are interested in actively participating in the festivity of the Mexican Independence Day in Chicago then there is no shortage of ways to do it. There is a range of things to do on the day; the most popular thing is going to the parade in Little Village. Ensure that you get to the streets earlier enough because the roads get crowd by enthusiastic onlookers who are in anticipation for the floats, dancers and musicians. For the generally non-enthusiastic spectators, there are family orient events in different areas in Chicago such as parks and waterfronts are normal accompany with fireworks and live performance.
Another way of contributing to the celebrations is through the patronization of local businesses namely the Mexican-own business situated in Pilsen and Little Villages. For the entire month, most restaurants and other stores have special promotions or have their own celebrations that coincide with the city’s festivities. Whether you are eating Mexican food or purchasing some Mexican handicraft, all these give an added feeling of togetherness that is the essence of Mexican Independence Day.
The float will celebrate heritage and unity.
Independence day in Chicago is a lively festivity, which represents Mexican people, their history, culture and traditions in the city. The celebrations include parades, firework displays, festivals, and of course, food and it is an efficient way of learning, and embracing the Hispanic culture with special focus to the Mexican – Americans and the positive impact they have had on the city.
Being a member of the Mexican-American community or simply a spectator of the multicultural Chicago, it is an opportunity to participate in the festivities of the holiday and the mood that it embodies.