CHICAGO — ABC 7 CHICAGO will highlight the rich culture and traditions of Chicago’s Latino community during Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15.

The network will celebrate Hispanic heritage with special news reports; the broadcast of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade; a half-hour edition of THE Ñ BEAT; and a series of vignettes honoring Latinos in Chicago.

To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, all the pageantry of Mexican culture will be on display when ABC 7’s Theresa Gutierrez hosts the Little Village Chamber of Commerce 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade airing Sunday, September 9 from 2-3 pm.

ABC 7 Chicago is the only TV station in town broadcasting the parade. Participating in this colorful community event will be members of the ABC 7 News team including Ben Bradley, Cheryl Burton, Michelle Gallardo, John Garcia, Hosea Sanders, and Roz Varon, who will be riding atop the ABC 7 float. (The parade begins at noon.)

During the parade, the late Raul Muñoz will be honored as one of the most successful business pioneers in Little Village. Muñoz passed away earlier this year in February 2012.

“Not everyone knows that the 2nd highest grossing retail district in Chicago next to Michigan Avenue is 26th Street, in the heart of the Little Village community.

During the Mexican Independence Day parade the area becomes an all-day block party. It’s a celebration unique to the city of Chicago,” says producer Edgar Vargas.

Vargas is excited to once again be producing the parade broadcast, as well all of ABC 7’s Hispanic Heritage Month coverage.

Throughout September and October, ABC 7 will broadcast Hispanic Heritage Month vignettes focusing on Latino leaders from all walks of life. The Hispanic Heritage Month vignettes are hosted by Stacey Baca, Michelle Gallardo, John Garcia, Theresa Gutierrez, Sylvia Perez, and Roz Varon.

Then, ABC 7 will broadcast its Emmy Award-winning program, THE Ñ BEAT, hosted by Theresa Gutierrez, with special contributions by ABC 7’s John Garcia and Stacey Baca, Saturday, September 29 at 6:30 pm with an encore presentation on Sunday, October 7 at 4:30 pm.

One of the upcoming stories on THE Ñ BEAT focuses on Ailyn Pèrez, a Chicago born Mexican-American soprano. From the stage at Elk Grove Village High School to the opera’s international stage, Ms. Perez discusses how she accomplished her dream to perform as a classically trained vocalist.