Eighteenth Street Development Corporation (ESDC) presents its seventh annual Mole de Mayo Festival, the only outdoor mole cook‐off event celebrating Latino culture and Mexican cuisine from May 27‐29, 2016 in Pilsen, the heart of the Mexican community in Chicago. The event is set to take place on 18th St. and Ashland Ave. The centerpiece of the festival is the mole competition in where local restaurants battle for one of two honors: Mole de Mayo Best Mole Award determined by an esteemed panel of judges and the People’s Choice Award decided by the festival attendees. Winners will be presented a traditional 14″ diameter x 4″ high, handpainted clay casserole (cazuela de mole) with the winner’s name on Sunday, May 29. “We are thrilled to have evolved Mole de Mayo into a three-day festival. This event continues to be another way for the community to identify with Pilsen,” said Alex Esparza, executive director at ESDC. “Connecting our culture with different audiences, as well as bringing sustainability to our local businesses and organizations is what drives the success of this festival.” The festival hours are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 27, Noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, and Noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 29. Suggested donation is $5 for individuals and $10 for families. For more information, visit www.moledemayo.org.