Aurora’s First Fridays event on Friday was a celebration of the Day of the Dead, part of Sugar Skull City events which kicked off in Aurora’s downtown back on Oct. 15.
The Aurora Downtown group organizes the monthly First Fridays. This time, the event offered two outdoor festivals including one held in a parking lot near 25 N. Broadway, where visitors found pan de muerto, catrinas, body painting, face painting, artisans and more for six hours beginning at 4 p.m.
Another Dia de los Muertos offering was held at Water Street Mall where visitors could enjoy artists, dancers and other attractions beginning at 4:30 p.m., which was made possible through longtime organizer Jose Torres.
“This is the 14th year we have had a celebration, and I really feel like the interest in the Skull City events has really increased,” Torres said. “The event is growing so much. There are a lot of things going on in downtown Aurora.”
Highlights at the Water Street Mall this year included a welcoming of a delegation from the Mexican government, Torres said.
“We’re having the mayor and others from my home, Auguascalientes City in Mexico,” Reyes said before the event. “I think the growth we’ve seen is because the Latino population is increasing so much and this is bringing more tradition to the area.”
Locations around the downtown participated in the First Fridays event, and the usual food truck food court was open at Water Street Square across from City Hall.
Despite some rain Friday, visitors still journeyed out as darkness began to fall.
Water Street Mall was full of visitors including Maria Herrera of Yorkville, who said she wanted “to celebrate Dia de los Muertos” and that she was looking forward to going to “the Santori Library where they are going to have a dance.”
A native of Mexico herself, Herrera said she knows very well the traditions related to the Day of the Dead.
“What I like about this is the tradition – they have the traditional Mexican food and costumes and remembering my ancestors,” she said. “I’m from Durango, Mexico, and I don’t do ofrendas in my house. I live alone and I feel like when you do an ofrenda, you are inviting them to come into your house and I’ll be afraid.”
Laura Hererra of Aurora said she and Maria “are related” and that regarding the Day of the Dead “it’s good to remember the deceased family members” and that she also likes “the colorful costumes, the flowers and all of the colors involved in it.”
“I’m glad to see that interest in this is growing,” she said.
Maria Lesak of Sugar Grove said she lived in Mexico until she was 15 years old and remembers “going to the cemetery to visit our dead ones” for Day of the Dead.
“We brought flowers and this brings back memories,” Lesak said. “My kids are grown now and grew up with these holiday traditions.”
Sylvia Santana, who now lives in Aurora but was born in Mexico, said this year was her first time coming to the Aurora event.
“I like the (bread) and enjoy the costumes and I’m glad to see more people getting into this,” she said. “There’s a lot of energy and it’s really a lot of fun.”
Santana’s daughter Arleth Antunez of Aurora said she was modeling at the event Friday and that she has been doing it “the past couple of months.”
“I enjoy representing my culture, especially today for Day of the Dead,” she said.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
