This is the second annual event at Riverwoods.
Day of the Dead is a Latin American tradition with Meso-American roots to honor and remember loved ones who are no longer with their families.
The festival started with traditional music, dancing and colorful art, and decorations to honor people who are no longer with us.
“Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful celebration that’s celebrated mostly in mexico to honor those who have passed away, loved ones that are no longer here with us, and it’s really a celebration to celebrate their lives.”
Although it’s a Latin American tradition, it has made its way into the U.S. Films like Book of Life and Disney Pixar’s Coco have helped this holiday become more mainstream.
“To have this cultural event, the Day of the Dead, it just brings a new vibrancy here that we’ve not experience in any other event that we’ve held, and I love the meaning behind it – remembering our family past. We’ve enjoyed holding it here for the past two years, and the Latino community comes out and we love that. We love having members come out. It brings a new, like i said, a new feel.”
Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, focuses on family; passing along memories and traditions to generations who didn’t get the chance to meet those who have passed.
“Learning about the tradition behind it, for us, it’s been an opportunity to share with our children about their grandparents or great grandparents that they hadn’t met. So for us it’s a very beautiful tradition and something we have learned to love throughout the years.”
The official day for Dia de Muertos is November 2nd.
Tradition has it that on this day, loved ones that have passed come to visit relatives.
It is a time to share stories and memories of our family members to always remember them.
