Eighteenth Street Development Corporation’s (ESDC) eighth annual Mole de Mayo Festival was held from Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28, in Pilsen. With Lucha Libre matches, live music, authentic Mexican cuisine, and clothing and jewelry vendors, the weekend-long festival offered a glimpse into Mexican culture above and beyond “Mucho Mole!” for residents all throughout Chicago.

“Seeing the mix of people there was awesome,” said Alexis Esparza, executive director at ESDC. “I think more than ever, in Pilsen, it’s important to continue to highlight and make sure Mole de Mayo continues to have this identity where people from surrounding neighborhoods can feel welcome to come to us and say ‘you know what, this fits me.’”

People of all generations attended the festival. Both Latinx youths and elders from a variety of backgrounds had an opportunity to celebrate—and taste—Pilsen’s rich culture and tradition, all while offering a space where the Latinx community felt welcome. (Sebastián Hidalgo)

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶