Guadalupe event organizers double security, plan for large crowds

After record crowds joined in prayer and Masses to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines last year, organizers are doubling security and the police department is preparing for the event to continue to grow.

Last year, seasonably warm temperatures in the 50s buoyed attendance to an estimated 300,000 Catholics who visited the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine located on the campus of Maryville Academy, 1170 N. River Road. The religious pilgrimage is second in size in North America only to the one to Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, organizers said.

Although colder temperatures could deter some people from joining in the celebration, attendance has remained high even during bitter cold weather in past years, police Chief Bill Kushner said.

"It's truly moving," Kushner said. "It's very touching to see the display of faith."

Opening Mass is 6 p.m. Sunday and the final Mass is 7 p.m. Monday. Temperatures are expected to be colder than last year. The National Weather Service predicts a chance of snow Sunday with lows about 19 over night. Meteorologists forecast partly sunny weather with a high near 24 on Monday.

Event organizers plan to double security at the shrine to prepare for the large crowds. The police department will include similar staffing to past years, but has ability to increase staffing if needed, Kushner said.

The police department has a similar plan for road closures from past years. Officers will shut down Central Road between East River Road and Wolf Road from 4 p.m. Sunday to about 4 p.m. Monday, Kushner said. The department also is putting additional garbage containers along roadways for visitors after residents reported trash in their yards, Kushner said.

Event organizers have designated four locations for off-site parking with remote shuttle service from 5:30 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday: Oakton Community College, 1600 East Golf Road in Des Plaines; St. Emily Parish, 1400 E. Central Road in Mount Prospect; St. Paul Chong Hasang Korean Church, 675 Dursey Lane in Des Plaines; and Palwaukee Plaza, southwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Palatine Road in Prospect Heights.