From Chula Vista to Oceanside, the free festivities will include the traditional Grito, live performances and food

As Mexico gears up to celebrate its 214th Independence Day, you can find people celebrating in the United States, including throughout San Diego County.

For the first time in a decade, city officials and Mexican leaders in Chicago will host a central celebration downtown to commemorate Mexican Independence Day with a two-day festival. “El Grito” is a result of the overwhelming push from community leaders to find ways to regulate the car caravans that have taken over the streets in recent years,

Chicago officials warn visitors of increased traffic downtown throughout the weekend, especially around Grant Park.

The line of cars, trucks and other vehicles — some with the Mexican flag draped over their hoods and others with people hanging out the windows — stretched from just south of East Jackson Boulevard up to East Wacker Drive,

The Fox Valley is home to two separate celebrations for Mexican Independence Day, La Fiesta de Elgin and Carpentersville’s Fiestapalooza.

The city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications said anyone planning to come downtown this weekend should expect lots of traffic and delays through Monday.