Fiestas Patrias Parade Returns, East Aurora Board Member Tapped As Parade Grand Marshal

AURORA, IL — Fiestas Patrias is returning Sept. 6-7, featuring food vendors, live performances and a parade in downtown Aurora.

The City of Aurora and the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board are partnering to host the all-day extravaganza that Saturday and the parade the following day.

Eight performers and popular food vendors from across Aurora will come together from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday at Wilder Park, 350 N. River St.

This is the schedule of performances for Saturday:

• Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl: Noon to 12:45 p.m.
• Dragones Rock: 1-1:45 p.m.
• Juan Diego: 3-3:45 p.m.
• Sonora Santanera: 4-4:45 p.m.
• Banda Portillos: 5-5:45 p.m.
• El Grito: 6-6:45 p.m.
• Jose Luis Duval e Irma Infante con Mariachi: 7-7:45 p.m.
• Los Sementales De Nuevo Leon: 8-9 p.m.

On Sunday, the Fiestas Patrias Parade will return to downtown Aurora, stepping off at 11 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Benton Street. Longtime community member and East Aurora School District Board member Saul Olivas will lead the parade as grand marshal.

Born in Aurora, Olivas first entered the education realm as a teacher's assistant at C.I. Johnson Elementary School, where he supported students with special needs, coached volleyball and encouraged wellness through the 100-Mile Club. Active in Aurora's community, Olivas has served as the advisory board president for the Dominican Literacy Center and currently serves as vice president II of the Citizen Police Academy Alumni of Aurora. He is also active with the Aurora Lions Club, the Aurora East Educational Foundation and the Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs.

"Education and community are at the heart of everything I do," Olivas said in a statement. "Aurora gave me the foundation to grow, and now I feel it's my responsibility to help ensure the same opportunities are available for the next generation."