Mexican Independence Day in Chicago: Street closures lifted in downtown, hundreds of thousands take part in the Little Village parade

CHICAGO (WLS) — Streets and freeway ramps leading to Chicago's central business district were closed as revelers gathered for another celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

Chicago authorities said access to downtown had been blocked or restricted since 8 p.m. Similar to Saturday night, many gathered in their cars on Michigan Avenue with flags, horns and music. The closures were lifted around 12:45 a.m.

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There are designated entrances to the city center for residents, employees and intensive care staff who need to get to the affected area.

The access points are located at the following locations: Halsted and Division, Halsted and Chicago, Halsted and Washington, Halsted and Madison, Halsted and Jackson, Division and LaSalle, Roosevelt and Canal, Desplaines and Canal, 18th and State, 18th and Michigan, and 18th and Indiana.

Have your driver's license or ID ready to gain entry. If you're attending an event or have a reservation outside of the road closures, you'll need to show a ticket, electronic confirmation or other documentation, officials said.

As the celebrations continued throughout the weekend, police were present to keep traffic congestion under control, closing streets as convoys of cars began moving through the city.

Meanwhile, Grant Park hosted the first downtown Mexican Independence Day celebration in over a decade, with thousands participating in El Grito.

“There is love,” said participant Itzel Diaz. “It's nice to see that there is love for our culture and that it is appreciated. That's really nice.”

The two-day festival offered visitors authentic Mexican food, live music and plenty of activities for the whole family. Mayor Brandon Johnson was even in attendance and participated in the official ceremony along with the Mexican Consul General.

Hundreds of thousands line the streets at the Little Village Parade

Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the streets of Little Village to take part in the annual Mexican Independence Day parade, now in its 53rd year.

The parade began at noon, led by the Charros, Mexican horsemen in traditional costumes.

“I just feel like I’m part of it. It’s so much fun,” said participant Teresa Herrera.

“It’s just a special occasion where we all come together, celebrate the culture, be happy and just give it our all,” said participant Osvaldo Duran.

The theme this year was “celebrando nuestras tradiciones”, or “We celebrate our traditions”, and it is a veritable smorgasbord of traditions.

Float after float featured traditional music and dance from different parts of the country; state after state showed what makes each of them unique, but also what makes them part of the same rich culture.

“My family is from Mexico. And every time. I grew up with the stories from there,” said participant Yahir Castaneda.

There are more and more ways and places to celebrate Mexican Independence Day in the Chicago area, but the Little Village Parade remains the largest and most traditional, not only here but in the entire Midwest. This year, an estimated 400,000 people participated.

“It's great when we celebrate together and come together. We don't even know each other and we celebrate together,” said participant Laura Perez.

And of course, the celebrations don't end with the parade. The traditional Independence Cry is re-enacted on Sunday night, and the actual Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on Monday, September 16.

5km run/walk opens the second day of the El Grito Festival

Before the parade, the El Grito 5K family run/march was held in Little Village to kick off the big day.

“Good representation of different nonprofits, corporations, local businesses, local churches. Everyone comes together. It's very community-driven,” said Jeremy Lamour, Director of Partner Engagement at New Life Centers.

More than 1,100 runners and walkers made their way down 26th Street from Kostner to Kedzie.

“Maybe there are people who feel intimidated by a race, but a race in their own community that represents the community is great,” Lamour said.

Attendees said there is so much to celebrate this year.

“Support the community and the event and the funds that the event will raise for the crisis center. That's why we're here,” said runner Paulina Bonilla.

The energy is contagious and the Mexican community radiates pride.

“She tells me, 'We're running. We're running.' I'm on her side, so whatever she supports, I support,” said Cristina Navarro, another runner.

The youth of the Running Forward group were proud to represent their heritage.

“For my family, for a new life, for my coach,” said runner Jean Carlo Carreno.

They love it when their neighbors get together. It's a familiar feeling, they say.

“It feels like home. I just love it. I've been to Mexico before for about two years and I really love it. It reminds me of the parades and everything,” said runner Jesse Fuentes.

It is a feeling they will not soon forget.

“Because we run with our community, it feels like everyone has something in common,” said runner Jeo Garcia.