Antonia Jaquez of Yorkville said she was born in Durango, Mexico, and was excited to come to Aurora for the two-day Fiestas Patrias celebration in the city this weekend that focused on her native culture.
“I’ve come here many, many times. I like everything – the music, the food, everything about it,” she said as she stopped to get a T-shirt that was promoting the event. “I think it’s great that the city highlights our culture and brings it here. I used to live and work in Aurora and I hope I can stay the whole time.”
The Fiestas Patrias events this weekend are being put on by the city in partnership with its Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board. The celebration includes a festival held at Wilder Park on Saturday and a parade on Sunday that is planned to start at 11 a.m. in downtown Aurora near the corner of Broadway and Benton Street.
Beginning at noon on Saturday, the festival at Wilder Park featured a wide range of entertainment, including performances by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl and seven different musical acts, as well as food, drinks and more.
Officials said the Fiestas Patrias celebration in Aurora dates back more than 15 years.
Jon Zaghloul, communications manager for the city of Aurora, said that “with the majority of this city being of Hispanic or Latino descent, it’s really a great opportunity to engage the city’s most populated audience while at the same time honoring the culture and traditions.”
Zaghloul said the celebration offers something for all Aurorans including the return on Sunday of the Fiestas Patrias parade, which was last held in the city in 2019.
“We’re highly anticipating this parade bringing out a ton of people to spend some time and see over 40-plus floats,” he said.
Jaquez‘s husband Isais Portillo on Saturday said he has come to the festival before and enjoys the food and music.
“The food here is always good and it’s very authentic. It’s like what we have in Mexico,” he said.
Rob Reale of Bensenville said this was his first time coming to the Fiesta Patrias celebration in Aurora.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the dances and checking out the music and the performances,” he said.
Alex Gonzalez of Montgomery said she has come to the event before and loves “that it’s authentic and it gives back to the community and back to the culture.”
“Our parents are from Mexico so this is great,” Gonzalez said. “To me, it’s important to get the message of our culture out – to learn about our culture, our food and our celebration. It’s very important. I’m looking forward to the presentation of flags today because that’s what my daughter is doing.”
Gonzalez’s daughter Gianna Ferrer, 10, said was indeed going to be in the flag ceremony at the event which would include a dance.
“My mom picked out my dress. I feel like a princess today,” Gianna said with a smile. “I’m looking forward to seeing my friends. It looks like this is going to be fun.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.