Fiesta En La Calle Brings Thousands to Downtown Joliet

Last Saturday, Alianza De Negocios, a division of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, held Fiesta En La Calle in the streets of downtown Joliet. The 4^th annual street festival and “Party in the Street” was met with great weather as approximately 9,000 people lined Chicago and Clinton Streets to enjoy live music, vendors and a delicious food court. D’Arcy Buick-GMC served as the grand presenting sponsor.

In addition to festivalgoers enjoying the sounds of local and international bands such as Horoscopos de Durango, Reino Norteno & Love Secreto, a Kids Zone sponsored by Nicor Gas was also available. The Kids Zone offered families games, face painting, and other activities.

While the festival marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which began on September 15, Fiesta En La Calle also benefits the Spanish Community Center of Joliet. The festival committee worked hard to make the event a major success for yet another year. The committee was led by Alianza’s Chairperson, Rosie Verdin of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, in addition to the Alianza De Negocios Board of Directors including Monica Bibian-Del Toro of D’Arcy Automobiles and Nancy Caballero-Borunda from BMO Harris Bank, N.A.

“Both the committee and board should be commended for their efforts to make sure this year was a tremendous success,” stated Chamber President, Mary Jaworski.

Along with supporting the Spanish Community Center of Joliet, festival proceeds also aid in funding the Alianza de Negocios Scholarship Fund, which was established in 2017. The fund awards $2,000 scholarships to two students at each of the three Joliet High School Campuses: Joliet West High School, Joliet Central High School, and Joliet Catholic Academy. Alianza launched the scholarship fund to assist students in pursuing a post-secondary education. Students can learn more about the scholarship fund from their guidance counselor.

“We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, partners and committee who made this event possible for Joliet. Fiesta En La Calle does more than bring thousands of people to downtown for one day of fun. It helps impact our community for days, months and years to come for those individuals that receive assistance from the Spanish Community Center and high school students that are awarded college scholarships,” said festival co-chair, Rosie Verdin.

Joining D’Arcy Buick-GMC and Nicor Gas in sponsoring and supporting the festival were other businesses and organizations including the following: ExxonMobil and Chicagoland Speedway as the entertainment sponsors, Hawk Auto as the food court sponsor, Midland States Bank as the VIP Sponsor, First Midwest Bank and NuMark Credit Union as beer tent sponsors, First Choice Temp Services as hospitality sponsor, and Abri Credit Union as the koozie sponsor.

Business owners looking to get involved with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s programs and events can visit www.jolietchamber.com.

Image via the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry