Day of the Dead marked in Des Plaines
If the witches, ghosts and other creatures adorning homes these days weren't scary enough, some kids in Des Plaines on Saturday added another frightening - albeit sweet - reminder for the spooky Halloween weekend ahead.
The kids created their own sugar skulls, a tradition linked to the Mexican celebration of Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, during a special event hosted by the Des Plaines History Center.
Children painted their own sugar skulls while learning about the art, culture and history of the three-day Mexican holiday, observed from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. The holiday brings together family and friends to pray for loved ones who have died.
The sugar skulls, also known as calavera, traditionally are made from sugar cane and decorated with various colors and the names of living people.