El Grito festival returning to Chicago

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Final plans are being laid for El Grito Chicago later this month.

The two-day festival celebrates Mexican Independence Day through a blend of food, music, art, education, and communal pride. It'll be held at Butler Field in Grant Park Sept. 14 and 15.

The festival will be in addition to the traditional parade held in Little Village each year.

It’s the first time in over a decade that El Grito will take place in downtown Chicago.

In the past, caravans of people have filled streets downtown to celebrate.

CPD Commander David Harris says that won't be the case this year.

“There will be zero tolerance for any car carvanning; taking over intersections, whether it's with a vehicle or pedestrian; drinking in the streets; fireworks; any stuff that we've experienced in the past,” Harris said.

“We will be having a posture that was similar to what we had for the DNC. We will have several police resources in and around this event.”

El Grito organizers are hoping those heading to the festival will take public transportation or carpool.

“We don't have control of the caravans. However, we are highly encouraging all festival attendees to use public transportation, take the CTA or rideshare. And we've been working closely with Millennium Park Garage to offer discounted parking rates,” said Korina Sanchez who is with the El Grito team.

"El Grito" refers to the rallying call that ignited the Mexican War of Independence.

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