Photos: 11th Ward parade and festival in Rockford

September 15, 2024|By Rock River Current|In 815 News, Rockford, Trending, Photo Gallery, Rock River Current
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Photos by Susan Moran
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The third annual 11th Ward parade marched through south Rockford on Saturday before ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park.

The parade coincided with Mexican Independence Day weekend and the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sunday, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

The event is put on by El Barrio Community Center and funded with help from the city’s Forward for Fun initiative.

Mexico declared its independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810, and the parade and festival was highlighted by cultural music, dance and food.

Here are images of the parade through the eyes of photograph Susan Moran:

Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway Street Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford.
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Rockford’s 11th Ward participates in National Hispanic Heritage month with a parade on Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, ending in a festival at Keye-Mallquist Park in Rockford. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)

Photos by freelance photojournalist Susan Moran.