Fiestas Patrias celebration set for this weekend at RiverEdge Park in Aurora

Aurora is set host its 13th annual Fiestas Patrias celebration on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13, at RiverEdge Park at 360 N. Broadway in the city. The event celebrates Mexican Independence Day and will feature mariachi music, local food vendors and internationally-recognized bands including Banda Carnaval and La Maquinaria Nortena, according to a city news release about the fest. Daily tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 years old and younger, city officials said. City officials are encouraging those looking to go to the festival to purchase tickets in advance at RiverEdgeAurora.com. Officials said there is no guarantee tickets will be available for purchase on-site during the fest. Proceeds from the festival are designated to fund scholarships for Hispanic college-bound students from Aurora, according to the city's release. Scholarships are administered through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, according to city officials. Gates for the festival will open at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12. Opening acts that day include Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, from Aurora, at 4 p.m.; Los Creyentes del Poder at 5 p.m.; Grupo Furioso at 6:30 p.m.; and an onstage ceremony recognizing scholarship recipients at 7:45 p.m., the release said. The headliner Banda Carnaval is scheduled to perform at 8:30 p.m. Gates will open at 3 p.m. on Sept. 13. The schedule that day includes roaming mariachi players at 2:45 p.m., Los Aces Del Norte at 3:30 p.m., the Parade of Nations at 4:30 p.m., Grupo Mandingo at 5:15 p.m., La Fiera de Ojinaga at 6:45 p.m., El Grito at 8 p.m. and La Maquinaria Nortena at 8:45 p.m. City officials said more information, including a complete schedule of events, full list of performers, sponsorship opportunities, festival offerings, parking instructions and venue rules and regulations can be found at RiverEdgeAurora.com. The Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board took part in planning the event, city officials said in the release. The board is a nonpartisan, community-based advisory board that aims to act as a bridge between the Hispanic community and other Aurora communities, city officials said. The board meets on the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. on the fifth floor of City Hall. For more information on the board, go to www.aurora.il.us/AHHAB.