Waukegan will brim with reds, green and other bright hues Sunday during the annual Fiestas Patrias. It’s a celebration of Latino heritage representing Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica and others, as well as Puerto Rico, featuring a parade, festival with cultural foods and a carnival.
“You’ll see colors from different nations” said Porfirio Garcia, a Waukegan resident and real estate broker in Gurnee who helps plan the annual event.
“They’ll be carrying flags in their native costumes, showcasing the beauty within each culture,” he said. “There will be dancing, music groups and floats.”
Plus, he said 40 to 60 horses provided by local ranchers in Lake and McHenry counties, will prance proudly down Washington Street.
“That’s one of the highlights of the parade,” he said.
“This is our seventh year. We are celebrating cultural awareness. It’s a way to keep the community engaged and proud. We’re trying to celebrate everyone including our own in this beautiful country.”
Fiestas Patrias, which means patriotic holidays, “is one of the largest festivals in Waukegan,” said David Motley, director of public relations and marketing for the city of Waukegan. “It takes place annually around the Mexican Independence Day, which is similar for a lot of Latin American countries.”
The parade route has changed. This year, it will begin at Washington and Butrick streets, and head down Washington to Sheridan Road, he said.
“There’s always an amazing amount of participation and great food at the festival,” Motley said. “They are also having a carnival this year.”
Garcia said, “We thought the carnival would add a little more flavor, and families might enjoy staying a little longer with their kids.”
Garcia said he estimates 10,000 to 15,000 people come to the parade and several thousand remain for the festival from 3 to 7 p.m.
Garcia said vendors will sell Puerto Rican and Mexican food.
“The Puerto Ricans are famous for the way they cook their meat,” he said.
In addition, vendors will sell tacos, corn on the cob, Mexican soda and other ethnic food and beverages.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
Fiestas Patrias
When: Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Washington Street, downtown Waukegan
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-263-8100; facebook.com/WaukeganFiestasPatrias
