Overview
- The 54th annual Fiesta del Sol began Thursday and drew thousands to Cermak between Ashland and Morgan with food, music, rides and a new art installation called “Stories of Us.”
- Organizers expect more than one million visitors over the free four-day run that continues through Sunday and urged people to plan for heavy crowds and use public transit.
- Festival co-chairs say they have undisclosed safety protocols and designated safe spaces that can be activated if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows up.
- Pilsen Defense and Access and other community groups have increased neighborhood patrols after reporting a recent uptick in ICE operations across the Chicago area.
- The event unfolds during a packed Chicago weekend of major concerts, the WNBA All-Star Game and other street fests, which heightens crowding concerns and complicates transit and safety planning.