Street closures into downtown lifted , hundreds of thousands attend Mexican Independence Day parade

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Streets and expressway ramps into Chicago's Central Business District were shut down as revelers gathered for another night of celebrating Mexican Independence Day.

Chicago officials said as of 8 p.m., access getting into downtown is closed or restricted. Much like Saturday night, many gathered on Michigan Avenue in their cars with flags, honking and music. The closures were lifted by around 12:45 a.m.

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There are designated access points into downtown for residents, employees and critical care workers who need to get into the impacted area.

The access points are at: 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.

Be prepared to show your driver's license or employee ID to gain access. If you are attending an event or have a reservation beyond the street closures, plan to show a ticket, electronic confirmation or other documentation, officials said.

As celebrations rolled on through the weekend, police have made their presence felt in an effort to control congestion, issuing rolling street closures when car caravans started to make their way through the city.

Meanwhile, Grant Park hosted the first downtown Mexican Independence Day festival in more than a decade, as thousands attended El Grito.

"There's love," said attendee Itzel Diaz. "it's nice to see there's love for our culture and it's appreciated so it's really nice."

The two-day festival gave people a dose of authentic local Mexican food, live music and plenty of activities for the entire family. Mayor Brandon Johnson even made an appearance, joining the Mexican consul general for the official ceremony.

Hundreds of thousands line streets for Little Village parade

Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of Little Village to cleebrate Mexican culture and independence on Sunday.

Earlier, hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of Little Village Sunday for the annual Mexican Independence Day parade, now in its 53rd year.

The parade kicked off at noon, headed up by the charros, Mexican horsemen dressed up in traditional costume.

"I just feel like a part of it. It's just so fun," said attendee Teresa Herrera.

"It's just a special occasion where we all just come together and celebrate the culture, be happy, and just go all out," said Osvaldo Duran, attendee.

This year's theme was "celebrando nuestras tradiciones," "celebrating our traditions," and what a rich tapestry of tradition it is.

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

"My family is from Mexico. And every time. I just grew up hearing of the stories over there," said attendee Yahir Castaneda.

With ever more ways and places to celebrate Mexican Independence Day around the Chicago region, the Little Village Parade is still the largest and most traditional, not just here but around the Midwest. This year an estimated 400,000 people attended.

"It's great when we're celebrating and getting together. We don't even know each other and we combine and celebrate," said attendee Laura Perez.

And of course the celebrations don't end with the parade. The traditional cry of independence will be reenacted Sunday night, and the actual Mexican Independence Day holiday will be commemorated Monday, Sept. 16.

5K run/walk kicks off 2nd day of El Grito festival

Before the Mexican Independence Day parade and celebrations really began, revelers got to running.

Before the parade, the El Grito 5K family run/walk took over Little Village to kick off the big day.

"A good representation from different nonprofits, companies, local businesses, local churches. Everybody's coming together. It's very community-driven," said New Life Centers Director of Partner Engagement Jeremy Lamour.

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

"There's maybe people who might feel intimidated by a race, but a race in their own community that is representative of the community is great," Lamour said.

Participants said there is so much to celebrate this year.

"Support the community and the event, and the funds that go to the event for the crisis center, so that's why we're here," said runner Paulina Bonilla.

The energy is contagious as the Mexican community beams with pride.

"She tells me 'We're running. We're running.' I'm with her, so whatever she supports, I support," said Cristina Navarro, another runner.

Teens with the group Running Forward were proud to represent their heritage.

"For my family, for new life, for my coach," said runner Jean Carlo Carreno.

They love to see their neighbors coming together. It is a familiar feeling, they say.

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

It is a feeling they won't soon forget.

"Because we're running with our community, so it feels like everybody has something in common," said runner Jeo Garcia.