New Barro Fest To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage In Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield will be busy with festivals this summer. Not only will Plainfield Fest return, but the village will also host its inaugural Barro Fest, celebrating Hispanic heritage.

The Village Board approved the fest, its usage of village-owned property and related road closures, if needed, at its May 6 regular meeting. The event will run from 1-10 p.m. July 27 at Settlers' Park and the adjacent vacant property to the west.

Barro Fest is "intended to celebrate Hispanic heritage through music, food and crafts," a staff report reads. It will feature live music, a beer tent and lots of food, though not from food trucks.

"We are very much looking forward to it. ... It's going to be something different for Plainfield," Mayor Argoudelis said. "I like to see it as a coming of age for our Hispanic community in town where you are stepping up as leaders and doing these things."

Given the location and design of the event, village officials said road closures won't be necessary, but if there is a "significant amount of rain leading up to the event," staff recommends a contingency plan in which Village Center Drive would be closed between Lockport Street and Van Dyke Road so as to not potentially damage Settlers' Park, documents state.