Child holding Mexican flag at Fiesta del Sol, July 31, 1999Source: Special Collections, City of Chicago Graphics and Reproduction Center Photographs, Box 128, Folder 23, Sheet 6, Negative 20
People at Fiesta del Sol, July 31, 1999Source: Special Collections, City of Chicago Graphics and Reproduction Center Photographs, Box 128, Folder 23, Sheet 1, Negative 31
Face painting at Fiesta del Sol, July 31, 1999Source: Special Collections, City of Chicago Graphics and Reproduction Center Photographs, Box 128, Folder 23, Sheet 2, Negative 15
Food vendor at Fiesta del Sol, July 31, 1999Source: Special Collections, City of Chicago Graphics and Reproduction Center Photographs, Box 128, Folder 23, Sheet 4, Negative 32
Older adults with child at Fiesta del Sol, July 31, 1999Source: Special Collections, City of Chicago Graphics and Reproduction Center Photographs, Box 128, Folder 23, Sheet 5, Negative 8
Woman with children at carnival ride, July 31, 1999Source: Special Collections, City of Chicago Graphics and Reproduction Center Photographs, Box 128, Folder 23, Sheet 3, Negative 16
(Lea este artículo en español)
It’s summertime in Chicago which means that festival season is here! Did you know that Chicago’s biggest Latine family-friendly festival is celebrating its 54th annual fiesta? Fiesta del Sol is taking place July 23 through July 26 in the vibrant Pilsen neighborhood located on Chicago’s Lower West Side. Every year, you can enjoy live entertainment from local and national artists. Indulge yourself by trying a variety of food and drinks. Get inspired as you walk through the several art expos and participate in the various cultural programming. Fiesta also provides an opportunity to inform yourself of the various health and immigration resources available to City of Chicago residents. Needless to say, there is much to do in this community fiesta.
But how did it all start? Pilsen Neighbors Community Council was created in 1954 as a result of the community needs of the Pilsen neighborhood. In 1972, PNCC and local leaders, like Mary Gonzales, advocated and organized for the creation of a local high school. After years of battle with the Board of Education in 1977, Benito Juárez Community Academy was built. PNCC and community leaders, like Guadalupe Álcala Reyes, planned a local event to celebrate this victory which lasted two days. The original focus was to celebrate and support students in Pilsen, but since then, Festival del Sol has turned into the biggest family-friendly event that honors Latine community and heritage in Chicago. To this day, Fiesta fundraises to provide opportunities of support to Southwest side students through its Guadalupe A. Reyes Scholarship.
To learn more about this event please visit Fiesta Del Sol's official website. Learn more about local leaders like Mary Gonzales, Guadalupe Álcala Reyes and others in Chicago Latina Trailblazers. If you are interested in viewing any of the related Fiesta Del Sol archival materials, please make an appointment with Special Collections at Chicago Public Library.
What is your favorite part of Fiesta del Sol or festivals in general?
Add a comment to: Fiesta del Sol