Due to popular demand, the city of Aurora has announced it is bringing back its Fiestas Patrias Parade on Sept. 7, officials said.
The parade, which celebrates Mexican Independence Day and the city’s vibrant Hispanic culture, is expected to feature various floats and groups as well as a public nomination process for grand marshal, according to a news release from the city. It is set to be held in downtown Aurora at 11 a.m. Sept. 7.
Those looking for more information or who are interested in nominating a community member for grand marshal of the parade can go to www.aurora.il.us/FiestasPatrias
Aurora last held this parade in 2019, which along with related festivities was estimated to have brought over 10,000 people into downtown, city officials said in the news release.
The Aurora Fiestas Patrias Festival has been a staple in the city over the years. It took a hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, with the site then moving in 2022 from the Aurora Transportation Center parking lot to RiverEdge Park, where the event was held the last three years.
The upcoming Fiestas Patrias Parade is being put on by the city of Aurora in partnership with the city’s Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board.
City officials said in the news release that, with interest from both the advisory board and the community, along with RiverEdge Park being closed for renovations, the Fiestas Patrias Parade’s return to downtown Aurora is highly anticipated.
The advisory board’s chair, Zayra Chavez, said in the news release that the event has taken a lot of planning and working with Mayor John Laesch’s administration, as well as support from the community.
“We are very excited to see the Fiestas Patrias Parade return to downtown Aurora,” she said in the news release. “We’re looking forward to not only hosting the parade, but working with the public to coordinate additional festivities to celebrate our strong Hispanic culture.”
The Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board is set to hold a community meeting this week to gather feedback on additional festivities to take place, according to the news release.
From 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place, community members will get the chance to share their opinions on how the city and the board should add to the parade in celebration of Mexican Independence Day and culture.
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