Wilder Park in downtown Aurora was the site of a huge celebration Sunday as the Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council offered the 54th annual Puerto Rican Heritage Festival that kicked off at noon.
The nine-hour event included opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m., followed by a day of music, dancing, Puerto Rican food, local vendors, children’s activities and more.
Billed as one of the longest-running cultural celebrations in the city, visitors could also shop for arts, crafts, apparel, jewelry, handmade goods and cultural items, and receive information and resources from participating community organizations.
Alia Rivera, who handles communications for the Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council, said she has worked for a number of years on the festival and that, “with good weather, we draw about 5,000 people and we’re hoping with the weather to draw even more.”
Rivera said the annual fest continues to draw people over and over again.
“I’m an Aurora native and I think that we provide a really safe, family-friendly event at our festival,” Rivera said.
Rivera said that every year people are drawn to the food at the fest, given that “the food trucks we have are top-notch,” as well as the music “that is offered this year and every year.”
Sunday’s lineup included Tony y Sus Campesinos at 1 p.m., Impacto Boricua at 2 p.m., Bompleneras at 3:15 p.m., Algarii at 4 p.m., Music In Motion at 4:45 p.m. and Chicago Latin Groove at 6 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m., Jhonny Velez and El Combo de John del Piano offered a tribute to merengue superstar Elvis Crespo.
“We also are awarding scholarships. Each year, the recipients come on stage and get those awarded. They’re about $1,000 each,” Rivera said.
Jennette Morales of Plainfield said she had come to the event before, and believes the fest has lasted so long because of “the music, the food, the vibe.”
“Everybody just hanging out and having fun.,” Morales said. “This is a festival for everybody.”
Jennette’s husband, Freddie Morales, said that, for himself, “being Puerto Rican is something that draws me and others to this.”
“I see our culture having a boom right now with the art that is going on and all the people that always come here. They’ve always carried that inside,” he said. “I mean, I think it’s the love of the culture, the music, the island. I wish we could be there, but this is nice.
“I think having this diversity gives unity,” he said. “Everybody gets along and there is strength in diversity. There’s no reason for anything besides unity.”
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Jenette Maldonado of Aurora said she has come “more than a handful of times” to the fest.
“I keep coming back for the food, the vibes, the music – everything,” Maldonado said.
Miguel Maldonado said he himself is Puerto Rican and has come many times to the festival.
“It’s like being back on the island,” he said. “I count the days down to this – no lie.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.