For the first time since 2019, the City of Aurora, in partnership with the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board, will host a Fiestas Patrias Parade, set to take place Sunday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m..
The Parade, which celebrates Mexican Independence Day and the City’s vibrant Hispanic culture, is returning after popular demand, and is set to feature numerous floats, groups, and a public nomination process for Grand Marshal.
Those interested in nominating a community member for Grand Marshal can visit www.aurora.il.us/FiestasPatrias for more information.
The Board will host a community engagement meeting Thursday, July 31 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place, to gather feedback on additional festivities set to take place. Community members are invited to share their m opinions on how the City and the Board should add to the Parade, celebrating Mexican Independence Day and culture.
The 2019 Parade and festivities were estimated to bring more than 10,000 people to downtown Aurora. With interest from the Board and the community, plus RiverEdge Park being closed for renovations, the Parade’s return is both highly anticipated and expected to be a celebration like never before.
“We are very excited to see the Fiestas Patrias Parade return to downtown Aurora,” Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board Chairwoman Zayra Chavez said. “It’s taken lots of planning, working with mayor John Laesch’s Administration, and support from the community.
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.”
—City of Aurora government