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Families pay tribute at drive-through Día de los Muertos in Glendale Heights

Posted November 08, 2020 12:00 am

By Karie Angell Luc Daily Herald correspondent

A driver passes by an altar for artist Frida Kahlo on Sunday during a drive-through Dia de los Muertos event at Camera Park in Glendale Heights. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald

Dozens paid tribute to those who have passed, and offered help to those still here who are in need, on during the drive-through Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration Sunday at Camera Park in Glendale Heights.

Hosted by Immigrant Solidarity DuPage, the village of Glendale Heights and College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, the event featured participants passing by two ofrenda - altars consisting of offerings made to welcome those who have passed. One was dedicated to artist Frida Kahlo and the other to victims of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think it's beautiful. And it's tragic what's happened," Glendale Heights Village President Linda Jackson said during the event. "But we're going to get through it, we're all going to get through it and we're going to get through it together."

Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated in conjunction with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. It involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.

Besides the tributes, Sunday's event also served as a food drive for those in need. All donations will be hand-delivered by volunteers from the arts center and Immigrant Solidarity DuPage.

Janey Sarther of Glen Ellyn, center in red shirt, of the McAninch Arts Center of the College of DuPage hands donated food to, in blue shirt, Molly Junokas of Addison, project coordinator for the Frida Kahlo Timeless exhibit at COD, during a Dia de los Muertos event Sunday in Glendale Heights. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald

Janey Sarther of Glen Ellyn, left, of the McAninch Arts Center of the College of DuPage hands lighting to Molly Junokas of Addison, project coordinator for the Frida Kahlo Timeless exhibit at the COD, during a Dia de los Muertos event Sunday in Glendale Heights. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald

The the Mariachi Monumental de Mexico band greeted visitors Sunday during a drive-through Dia de los Muertos event at Camera Park in Glendale Heights. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald

Janey Sarther of Glen Ellyn places lighting in a candle area on the Frida Kahlo altar Sunday during a drive-through Dia de los Muertos event at Camera Park in Glendale Heights. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald

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