72nd annual Fiesta Day Parade returns this weekend, schedule and road closure notices

ROCK FALLS and STERLING, Ill. (KWQC) - The 72nd annual Fiesta Day Parade returns this weekend.

The Fiesta Day Parade will kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Rock Falls and end with a celebration at the Sterling Marketplace from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., event organizers said. There will be live music, dancers, bounce houses, and more to celebrate Hispanic culture in the Sauk Valley.

The Rock Falls Police Department wants the public to be aware that there will be multiple road closures due to the parade.

Beginning at approximately 12:45 p.m., 1st Avenue (Illinois Route 40) will be closed from 12th Street in Rock Falls to the Rock River, police said. There will be additional road closures in Sterling related to the parade route.

East 10th Street, East 11th Street, Avenue A, Mary Ave, Avenue B, Avenue C, and Avenue D in Rock Falls will also be impacted by the parade staging and line-up from about noon until the last entry is on the parade route.

The Avenue G bridge will be open to traffic, but divers should expect delays, police said. The detour route will be US Route 30 to 12th Avenue.

Officers and barricades will be in place to direct traffic and to ensure safety, police said. Do not drive around or move the barricades.

The Grand Marshal will be the YWCA of the Sauk Valley staff and board of directors.

The YWCA has been a cornerstone of the Sauk Valley community for decades, providing essential programs and services that empower individuals, promote equality, and strengthen families, officials from Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce said. The board of directors plays a vital role in guiding the organization’s mission, ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs of the community.