Mexican Independence Day Parade celebrates Latino heritage

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A half-million people lined the streets to celebrate Latino heritage Sunday with the 46th annual 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade on the city's Southwest Side.

The colorful parade began at noon and headed across 26th Street from California to Kostner in the city's Little Village neighborhood. The celebration marks Mexican Independence Day which is September 16. The theme for this year's parade is "celebrating the past."

"We appreciate what the United States has done for our community, so we're trying to give back a little and put on this great event," said Jaime Di Paulo, Little Village Chamber of Commerce.

Like in years past, the parade featured floats, including ABC7's, marching bands and beauty queens, as well as performances by dancers and other performers.

"I love the horses and I love the floats," said parade-goer Angelica Aguirre.

It's expected nearly half million people lined the 2.5 miles route of the parade, which stepped off with its first female Grand Marshall this year when former ABC7 reporter Theresa Gutierrez, who retired from Chicago television in 2014, did the honors.

"I'm really flattered to finally be able to walk the parade and not anchor it," Gutierrez said. "I anchored it for more than 40 years so it is an honor."

Several politicians and community leaders were in attendance. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner were among those who greeted the crowds.

"Here in Illinois, what we need in every community, the Mexican community and in every community, is more opportunity," Rauner said.

For Veronica Gonzalez, the celebration is about family and proud traditions.

"I bring my kids every year, I don't miss it," she said. "It's something that gets fulfillment. We still see our community and not forgetting about our Mexican race."