West Cook News

The Town of Cicero hosted its annual Cinco de Mayo Festival from May 1 to May 4, attracting over 27,000 attendees despite the cold weather and concerns over immigration policies. The event took place at Cicero Community Park, offering live entertainment, cultural performances, and a wide variety of food vendors.

Maru Ayala, President of the Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee, noted the festival's longstanding tradition: “We’ve done this for 18 years. It’s tradition. People wait for it every year. Even though the weather wasn’t ideal, and people were scared to come out because of immigration fears, once they saw the crowds and the performances, they came. This year was better and bigger in many ways.”

Ayala addressed residents' concerns about immigration status but credited the town's inclusive policies for alleviating fears. “People were afraid of being arrested. But here in Cicero, that’s not something we do,” she stated.

Special Events Director Patty Salerno highlighted Cicero's commitment to being a safe community: “President Dominick and the board of trustees passed an ordinance making it clear—no town employee, including police or fire, can ask for immigration documentation,” she said. “Cicero is a very friendly town. That’s why families keep coming back.”

The festival featured numerous food vendors with offerings ranging from traditional Mexican dishes to innovative culinary fusions. Devin Maldonado from Maldo Latin Grill attracted crowds with his "Latin Cup," a layered dish featuring Puerto Rican rice and slow-roasted pork. Leah from Paisans expressed pride in participating as a family-owned business: “We’re a family-owned business and always happy to be part of events like this.”

Andrés Lopez from Original Rainbow Cone remarked on steady sales despite chilly conditions: “It’s never too cold for ice cream.” Ron Memeti from Barones Restaurant noted that children continued buying snow cones regardless of the weather.

Slice Factory returned with beefy fries, pizza, and wings. A representative shared their positive experience: “We’ve joined before, and it’s always great to see so many familiar faces in Cicero.”

Vendors praised the organization and community atmosphere fostered by Cicero's event management team. According to Salerno, vendor spots fill quickly each year due to high demand: “We open applications in January, and they go fast."

Cicero's Cinco de Mayo Festival remains a vibrant celebration showcasing culture, unity, and local pride through music, family activities, and diverse cuisine.