Get your Unlimited Carnival Ride pass for Fiesta Back of the Yards TODAY!
Enjoy with your family three days of unlimited fun with the Mega Pass at the Fiesta Back of the Yards festival on June 7 through 9. With four blocks of carnival rides, three stages of entertainment, talent shows, awesome giveaways, raffles and food there is something for the entire family.
The tickets are now for sale at the BYNC office located at
1751 W. 47th Street for $50.
Along 47th Street
Between Ashland and Damen
For more information contact Gisela at (773) 523-4416 ext 114 or gnevarez@bync.org
Back of the Yards 5K and Health Fair – Por Tu Salud y Tu Communidad
Click on here to view pictures on Flickr
The Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council held its annual 5K Run and Health Fair on September 23rd. The purpose of the event was to promote exercise and raise awareness on how to live a healthy lifestyle. Also, the event raised money for the after school and ballet programs that are run by BYNC. There were over 240 runners who participated in the race including many local residents who had never competed in a 5K race.
Many local businesses participated in the 5K and Health Fair. The name sponsor for this year’s event was La Raza Newspaper. The list of sponsors also included SSA #13, the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Testa Produce, Urban Initiatives, Hinckley Springs, LISC Chicago, Schulze & Burch Biscuits, and the Gate Newspaper. Also, many local businesses fielded running teams to compete in the race. These companies included Testa Produce, Park Federal Bank, D & A Auto Body Repair, the CARA Program, and Matanky Real Estate. There was a prize for the team with the best time and the team that raised the most money. This year, both of those prizes were won by Park Federal Bank.
Also, many members of the community participated and enjoyed a great day. Families walked together some with children in strollers. The younger children loved Southpaw, the White Sox mascot, and really enjoyed the Cubs Trolley. The older children and adults were entertained by two (2) Tae Kwon Do demonstrations from Champyon Tae Kwon Do and MTZ Tae Kwon Do. Those with a musical inclination were able to get conga lessons from Michael Rodriguez, one of Chicago’s premier congueros and the proprietor of El Ritmo School of Latin Percussion. Other vendors who provided information at the Health Fair included Park Federal Bank, National Latino Educational Institute, Chicago Kids in the Kitchen, Chiro One, Accelerated Rehab, Culinary Connection, Illinois Family Health, St. Anthony Hospital, and the Resurrection Project.
“It was a great event that really brought the community together,” said Craig Chico, Executive Director of the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council. “We worked with the local community, and quadrupled the number of runners. If we can do that again next year, we’ll have over a thousand runners. Not bad for an event in its second year!”
The event raised over $50,000 in contributions and donations. This will directly aid the BYNC Ballet Folklorico and after school programs which serve over 500 children in our community. Look for the event next year and get involved!
Miss Fiestas Patrias – An evening of celebration
8 contestants in Mexican traditional costumes phase of the competition
On Friday, September 7th, over 300 people joined the BYNC to celebrate the crowning of a new Queen at El Rey Ballroom, 3504 S. Western Ave. Craig Chico, President & CEO of the BYNC, opened the evening ceremony by welcoming the guests and giving special recognition to staff, event sponsors, and special guests. Special guests included State Senator Tony Muñoz, State Representative Dena Carli, Radio Personality Cesar Osmar of Pasion 106.7FM, and Miss Illinois Latina Elsa Chumacerro.
The first phase of the competition consisted of contestants wearing traditional Mexican costumes. Each one of the contestants represented a different state of Mexico; the states represented were Jalisco, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Chiapas, Michoacan, Sonora, State of Mexico, and Guanajuato.
While the contestants changed for the second part of the competition, the Back of the Yards Ballet Folklorico performed the beautiful dance of “Veracruz”. The remainder of the competition included a spectacular talent show choreographed by Teresa Luna and a final question & answer period with evening gown-clad contestants. While the votes were added up, the contestants performed a series of runway choreographies.
Ultimately, host David Miranda announced Tania Reyes as 2nd Princess, Ruby Alvarez as 1st Princess and finally Jocelyne Muñoz as the new Queen of the Back of the Yards Fiestas Patrias. A shocked Jocelyne joyfully stepped up and received her crown, sash, and wand by Erica Valdez, 2011-2012 Queen.
The Queen’s prizes included a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by BYNC and Matanky Realty Group, a laptop donated by Best Buy, a jewelry set donated by Imperial Jewelers, and a $50 McDonald’s gift certificate donated by Phil Fuentes (McDonald’s Hispanic Ownership Operations). The princess prize included a set of jewelry sponsored by Imperial Jewelers and a $50 McDonald’s gift certificate sponsored by Phil Fuentes (McDonald’s Hispanic Ownership Operations).
Special Events
The BYNC hosts a number of events through out the year for the benefit of our community residents. These events include Fiesta Back of the Yards, Going Back to School Events, Health Fairs, Workshops, Sidewalk Sales, Turkey and Toy Giveaways during the holidays! Please sign up for our mailing list to ensure we can let you know about the different events we organize every year!
