Forget politics; let’s just enjoy art and culture at Naperville Hispanic Fest, organizer says

Food, music and dancing are the trifecta of this weekend’s 5th Annual Naperville Hispanic Heritage Festival.

Set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday in Central Park, the fest is a time to celebrate not just Mexican Independence Day but all Latin countries by offering a vibrant variety of cultures and activities, said Patty Gustin, chairwoman of the Naperville Sister Cities Foundation, which presents the all-ages event.

Naperville Sister Cities Foundation is a nonprofit that works to bring inclusivity and cultural awareness to Naperville by connecting its citizens to other global communities. Naperville’s sister cities are Nitra, Slovakia; Patzcuaro, Mexico; and Cancun, Mexico.

The Hispanic Heritage Fest was initiated when Gustin served as a member of the Naperville City Council and was the council’s liaison to the commission, she said. She has been a vocal supporter of the Hispanic Heritage Fest.

“We want people to embrace each other’s differences and not compete against each other,” she said. “The only way to do that is to keep it very neutralized, where it’s food, it’s music — it’s all that welcoming stuff. Let’s not talk politics, let’s not talk medical stuff, let’s not talk any of those controversial issues. Let’s talk about food, let’s talk about music, let’s enjoy each other’s company. That’s really what it has evolved into. We’re so blessed and so happy to have that.”

This year, the Naperville Municipal Band and Mariachi Los Gavilanes De Chicago will perform. Folklorico dancers will complement the music and entertain the crowd, Gustin said.

“We’ve got a wonderful lineup. We have consistent, good music,” she said. “Rena Calabrese, who runs the Naper Settlement, is going to be our emcee because she speaks the language and she knows the community.”

There will be booths for food, arts and crafts, businesses and community groups, she said. Among the on-site food vendors will be Taco Dale, Belgios, Golden Tuzo, Lola’s Churros and Mary’s Tamales y Antonjitos, Gustin said.

Other vendors include Ife Tete, The Wood Crafters by Luz and Juan, Royal Prestige, and the nonprofit children’s educational organization En Espanol.

Amateur artists will want to arrive early to enjoy the Pinot’s Palette booth, which will have two artists on hand to help attendees create their own Hispanic-themed artwork. Pinot’s Palette will supply the paints, brushes, aprons and instructions.

Additionally, the DuPage Hispanic Alliance will be offereing crafts and activities for kids, Gustin said. The alliance also will be hosting four artists from the inaugural Latin (sub) Urban Art Walk held in July, who will be selling their works, she said.

The Hispanic Heritage Fest began so that people could learn more about the culture and enjoy the music and food, she said.

“That’s the way to anybody’s heart, no matter who they are,” Gustin said. “It has kind of exploded into its own course of culture and entertainment and music and food. And those are just wonderful things because people don’t protest those, they embrace them. It’s an opportunity for people to come and see and not be opposed to it because now they’ve been exposed to it.”

Doors open at 5 p.m., with things kicking off off with a ceremony to present awards for local achievements in commerce, culture and education.

Next year, there are plans to up the ante by making the fest more of an international event by including Naperville’s other sister cities, Gustin said.

“We are going to be launching something a little bit different but a little more inclusive too,” she said.

She hopes people are excited to learn about the Hispanic culture, because “even though we’re different, we’re all humans,” she said. “We should cherish each other and enjoy each other’s differences and cultures. We just want people to have a good time.”

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.

Naperville Hispanic Heritage Fest

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13

Where: Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave., Naperville

Admission: Free

Information: Napervillehispanicfest.com