Latinos honor spirits for Dia de los Muertos
Halloween is often associated with costumed children, candy, playful tricks and some spooky stories.
But many Latinos believe in something more serious. Spirits, they say, will be among us this weekend.
Several events are scheduled across the suburbs to mark Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, a holiday with origins in Mexico that falls on Nov. 1 each year.
"It's the one day of the year when the veil is thinned and people think their loved ones can come back or speak to them through the thin veil," said Peggie Stromberg, executive director of the Elgin Public Museum, which is hosting a free, kid-focused Dia de los Muertos celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Vendors will be selling Day of the Dead artwork at the event and children can craft items used to celebrate the holiday, including sugar skulls and paper flowers. Admission is $2 for nonmembers and free for members. Stromberg said the event keeps growing and hundreds are expected to attend.
"People just like the idea of it," she said. "They like that one of the Mexican traditions is upheld here."
In Aurora, hundreds also are expected to attend a free Day of the Dead street fest that is returning to the downtown area from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Marissa Amoni, marketing liaison for Aurora Downtown, said it's a great opportunity to learn about a different culture and celebrate cultural diversity.
"It's really a festive, lively holiday," she said.
The fest will be held on Benton Street, between Stolp Avenue and River Street. There will be performances by several Mexican dance troupes, including one that dons attire inspired by the Aztecs, as well as music, Mexican food vendors and family-friendly activities that focus on the joys of life rather than death.
"It is a special celebration to honor our loved ones that have passed away. The day is a special day to enjoy with them," event director Jose Torres said. "We're trying to keep all our traditions here in the Latino community and to let everyone know who we are and why we celebrate."
The new Santori Public Library at 101 S. River St. in Aurora is welcoming fest attendees to explore a display of ofrendas, or offerings, from 1 to 5 p.m. Although not for worship, ofrendas look like altars or shrines, often decorated with marigolds, candles, photos of loved ones and some of their favorite earthly items, such as candy, baked goods and fruit.
The Academia Cultural Xilotl is sponsoring a Día de los Muertos ofrenda and altar exhibit, too, from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts in Waukegan. And Hispanic Club students at Oakton Community College are gathering photographs for an altar that will be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.
In Naperville, the Chicago Sinfonietta West Suburban Friends are hosting a Dia de los Muertos brunch at 1 p.m. Sunday at Wentz Concert Hall, followed by a 3 p.m. performance by the ensemble. The celebration is a nod to Naperville's sister city, Patzcuaro, Mexico, and will include Mexican and American fare, a costume contest, a dance performance by the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company and a mariachi band. Prices vary for tickets, which are available at www.chicagosinfonietta.org.
Families in the Northwest suburbs are invited to take part in more face painting, sugar skulls and Day of the Dead crafts at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Costumes are encouraged and guests can bring a photo or personal item of a deceased loved one to add to the library's Día de los Muertos altar.
On Wednesday, the West Chicago Public Library hosted its own celebration where attendees dressed as skeletons, made crafts and snacked on traditional foods, like tamales and Day of the Dead bread. Nicole Handley, youth services assistant, said it is "one of the biggest holidays for the Hispanic population," which makes up about half of West Chicago.
"We try to do a few programs a year to really target our community," she said. "It's something fun to do. It's actually very bright and colorful."
Although the public Day of the Dead events draw large crowds, Handley said many Latinos will just celebrate at home, or even at church, this weekend.
"A lot of people do it more on a private basis," she said.