New to the City of Elgin in 2023 is Hispanic Heritage Month: Canta con Orgullo (Sing with Pride) on Saturday, September 16th, 2023 at Festival Park (132 S. Grove Elgin, IL 60120). This event brings together community partners including the Gail Borden Public Library, The Elgin History Museum and the Friends of the Masons, all known for their fantastic Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.
This event features a car parade, traditional Grito, ballet folklorico performances by Macehualitzli, interactive Frida Kahlo sculpture, lotería games, Alebrijes, live music, themed food and drinks, and much more!
The festivities kick off with a car caravan. Cars will begin staging in the former Sherman Hospital parking lot (850 Center St) at 11:00 a.m. and begin to head south at 1:30 p.m. along Douglas Ave from Slade Ave to Fulton St. The opening ceremony will begin at 3:30 p.m. with musical participation from
Andrea Michel, José Diaz,
Xitlali "La Chaparrita de Oro", and a quartet from the
Elgin Symphony Orchestra. After the opening ceremony, live music performances will hit the stage at 5:30 p.m. starting with
Somos Colombia, followed by
Trabuco. America's #1 Selena tribute band,
Amor Prohibido, will be joining the line up with all of Selena Quintanilla's greatest hits. Closing out our event will be
AYOO, a brotherly DJ duo native to Chicago, playing along to our spectacular fireworks display at 9:20pm. Food trucks will be parked on Grove street adjacent to Festival Park starting at 3:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy this all day event. This is a FREE event.
No outside alcohol or pets will be allowed at the concert and fireworks. All parking in Downtown Elgin is free, however, with street closures taking place for the parade, we advise that you arrive early. There is ample amount of street parking and free parking in lots/decks throughout the downtown area. There will be designated accessible parking near Festival Park. A full map can be viewed here.
More Questions or Comments: For any further questions, please contact the Elgin 311 Contact Center by calling 311 or email our events staff at specialevents@cityofelgin.org
You will not want to miss this celebration of pride and culture.
