Best of the fests

Fest
Plaza Garibaldi’s Fiestas Patrias, 26th St and California Ave. Sun 14, 1–9pm; $39, kids 10 and under free

Entertainment
The main draws are the outdoor rodeo and two stages of music. Blago affiliating with the gathering’s almost entirely Spanish speaking patrons during an appearance? A distant third.

Likely souvenir
Pink ostrich-skin Tony Lamas for her, a Stetson for him

Perfecto for…
Urban cowboys or, should we say, los vaqueros

Fest
26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade and 18th Annual Festival de La Villita. Thu 11 and Fri 12, 6–10pm; Sat 13, noon–11pm. On Sun 14, the parade begins at noon (26th St and Albany Ave, west to Kostner Ave); festival, 1:30–11pm.

Entertainment
About half a million people stuff down tacos from 200 food vendors. And the few that don’t, lament at a Healthy Lifestyle Village or gather for floats, folk music and games.

Likely souvenir
A diet piña colada in a carved-out pineapple

Perfecto for…
Light eaters looking to torture themselves with queso and greasy corn tortillas galore

Fest
Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade/Festival. Wolcott Ave at 18th St. On Sat 13, the parade begins at noon (Halsted St and 18th St, west to Wolcott St); festival, 1:30–8pm.

Entertainment
This fair’s all about community: Floats sponsored by Pilsen churches and neighborhood clubs beat a parade path to the park for homespun carnival games. Duck pond and cake walk, anyone?

Likely souvenir
Traditional handmade sun- and moon-shaped papier-mâché ornaments, sold in support of a local parish

Perfecto for…
Craftsy East Pilsenites starting a folk-art collection

Fest
South Chicago Mexican Independence Day Parade, 87th St and Commercial Ave, south to 99th St. Sun 14 at 2pm; $10

Entertainment
At 69 years, the oldest of the parades includes cowboys on horseback, politicians in decorated cars, mariachi music, colorful floats and traveling food vendors.

Likely souvenir
A Polish sausage—yep, they got ’em. (Hey, it’s still da Sout’ Side.)

Perfecto for…
Fourth-generation South Siders of Mexican descent