Weekend Break: Cinco de Mayo at Montana Charlie’s

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Live music, food and folkloric dancers filled the pavilion at Montana Charlies Little American Flee Market in Bolingbrook.

“The flee market has been around for 60 years,” Joe Savrino, the co-owner, said. “I meet people constantly saying they remember coming here as kids.”

The weekly Sunday tradition hosted ballet folkloric infinity and a live mariachi band for Cinco de Mayo, a day honoring Mexico’s win over the French in 1862.

“It’s been Americanized a lot,” Dawn Calderon, director of Ballet Folkorico Infinity, said. “But it’s good for the culture because it gets the culture recognized. I know it’s not a big thing in Mexico.”

Calderon said she brings out her students to let them enjoy the culture while sharing it with others.

“I don’t charge the kids for classes,” Calderon said. “I do ask that they come to practice, they buy their own costume but I do that so more kids can afford to do this.”

On Saturday, the students put on a show with their colorful dresses and dance skills.

People also watched and others browsed the more than 350 vendors.

“They can expect everything and anything,” Savrino said. “It’s everything from antiques to brand new merchandise, lots of toys for kids.”

The flee market is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday from April through October.

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