We at the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council would like to thank everyone who helped to make Fiesta 2024 a massive success. Every year, as we host our community festival, we are grateful and invigorated by the enthusiastic community response. Despite major changes in the production of Fiesta, including a new location and security measures, we were glad to have more than 150,000 visitors come to experience the joy of our carnival, the beauty of our culture, and the incredible items available from more than 40 local vendors. A special thanks to our amazing sponsors who make Fiesta possible. Without their support we would not have been able to host more than thirty artistic performances, especially our headliner, Ninel Conde. It was a wonderful series of performances, and we could not have asked for more. Finally, thank you to our community. Fiesta is successful because of you and the support you show it and each other. We look forward to next year, and hope to make it even bigger and better.

Fiesta Back of the Yards

Fiesta is a highly-anticipated community event that successfully draws over 300,000 people of all ages and highlights the diversity and rich cultural past of the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Fiesta also promotes the Back of the Yards as a proud and vibrant community while raising funds to support the BYNC’s many community programs, which include the BYNC Senior Shuttle Bus, computer classes, and our award-winning Ballet Folklorico program. Fiesta Back of the Yards boasts two stages that feature live music, dancers, and cultural performances. In addition to the live entertainment, Fiesta offers over 25 rides and games for kids ages 2 and above.

Beginnings: How Fiesta Was Born

In 1940, the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council introduced an annual community festival that was known as the Free Fair; this month-long event served as both an opportunity to bring entertainment and activities to the Back of the Yards neighborhood and as a fundraiser for the BYNC’s various programs. The Free Fair boasted celebrity appearances, zoo animals, carnival rides & games, and a variety of interesting contests, including baby races and longest ponytail contests.
The Free Fair thrived into the early 80’s, until its spacious 47th & Damen site was converted into a shopping center. In response to local demands for a new community festival, the BYNC created Fiesta on 47th Street, which has been celebrated for over 20 years. Fiesta is an annual community celebration where area merchants, food vendors, artisans, carnival rides and entertainers overtake 47th Street between Ashland and Damen Avenues, in the heart of Chicago’s storied Back of the Yards community.

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