Fiesta Puertorriqueñas | Fest review + photo gallery

I watched Humboldt Park spring to life Tuesday night as the neighborhood began its annual celebration of Puerto Rican heritage. Fiesta Puertorriqueñas, one of the city’s largest and longest-running summer festivals, opened with an eager crowd ready to party. Groups of friends and families sported the colors of the Puerto Rican flag—some were actually draped in the flag itself—and folks talked in celebratory shouts over music booming across the park.

Now in its 47^th year, the festival takes place during solstice to ensure ample time for revelry in the form of Latin entertainers, carnival rides, food and crafts vendors, and a parade on Saturday. Fiesta Puertorriqueñas takes pride in its kid-friendly nature, apparent in the endless carnival rides and games: Balloon pops, duck ponds, Tilt-A-Whirls, a mini-rollercoaster, high-flying swings and the heavy-duty Inverter (which flips its unfortunate riders upside down). 

Food booths offer up an abundance of traditional Latin and Puerto Rican dishes including tamales, roasted pork, empanadas, roasted corn, arepas, and—my personal favorite—sweet plantains stuffed with mozzarella. Vendors aggressively yell out to passersby in an attempt to atract buyers. Sneak behind the tents to see another side of their work: Large pots bubble with spicy liquids and teams of Puerto Rican cooks stirred pot upon pot of traditional rice and beans. 

This fete is alcohol free, but I spotted at least five booths selling virgin piña coladas in the style of Manati, a region in Puerto Rico that produces sugar cane. Some of the drinks are served in an overwhelming whole, hollowed-out pineapple while others come in a simple plastic cup. 

A unique tradition at this fest: Several tents, equipped with their own stereo or DJ, blast beats that switch from techno-heavy songs and reggaeton to traditional Latin dancing music. It takes a second to adapt, but—as the crowds grew and cacophony of sounds multiplied—the mood was infectious.

runs through Sun Jun 19. Division St between Western Ave and Rockwell St.