Hispanic Heritage Month started early with the Fiestas Patrias parade and festival on Sunday and continues through Nov. 1, with the Waukegan Park District’s annual Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration.
Maria Contreras, the Park District’s communications supervisor, said the month and the events that are part of it are an opportunity “to celebrate the cultures, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino residents” in the community.
“We want everyone to feel seen, represented, and welcome,” Contreras said. “These celebrations bring people together, build understanding, and strengthen the sense of community that makes Waukegan such a special place.”
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Between 15,000 and 20,000 people lined Washington Street between Jackson and Genesee streets in downtown Waukegan as well as participating in the festival in the downtown area Sunday, according to city of Waukegan estimates.
Margaret Carasco, the organizer of the parade and festival, said that after cancelling the parade and festival a year ago because of the presence of federal immigration enforcement agents during Operation Midway Blitz, there was a pent-up need in the community for a celebration.
“After a year of concern, people were ready to go out there and celebrate this time,” Carasco said. “We didn’t publicize it this time. The community communicated with each other and came out. It was healthy for people to socialize, therapeutic in a sense.”
National Hispanic Heritage Month begins Tuesday in Waukegan, Lake County, and across the country, and continues officially through Oct. 15 nationally, with events continuing in Waukegan through Nov. 1 with the Dia de Muertos observances.
Contreras said Dia de Muertos is a time when people of Mexican descent remember “family members and loved ones who have passed away.” It is an important part of Mexican culture worthy of continued celebration.
Along with celebrating Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1821, the parade and events throughout the month also recognize the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Chile. Carasco said there were 90 entrants in the parade.
“We had 100 horses,” she said. “We had representation from Mexico, Honduras. El Salvador and Belize. The College of Lake County had the flags of all the countries. We had Mariachi bands throughout the parade.”
Some of the Park District’s events are free, while others have a charge. Contreras said the initial event is a free family loteria night from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Belvidere Recreation Center. It is a Mexican game similar to bingo with images instead of numbers.
People will have an opportunity to create and stuff their own mini — about six inches — piñata at 6 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Jane Adams Center in Bowen Park.
Another free event — Family Socials — takes place at 6 p.m. on Sept. 25 at the Adaptive Recreation Center, designed for individuals and families with disabilities to experience Hispanic culture.
Preparation for Día de Muertos starts with a sugar skull workshop from noon to 1 p.m. on Oct. 3, 10, and 17, at the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie, when people can create and decorate their own sugar skull used in the celebration of the holiday.
The free Dia de Muertos celebration takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Lakehurst Center with music, dance, art and other traditions of the holiday.
Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 is celebrating at 5 p.m. on Oct. 1 at the Waukegan High School Brookside Campus. Nick Alatzakis, the district’s communications director, said it is called “Unidos Somas Mas — Together We Are More.”
“New this year is a do-it-yourself piñata station,” Alatzakis said. “There will be food and entertainment. We’ll have dancers, food from various regions, music and other performances. Individual schools will also be having celebrations throughout the month.”
The Waukegan Public Library is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month throughout September with books, displays, and special programming highlighting Hispanic culture, history, and traditions.
Jennyfer Cordova, the library’s communications and community engagement manager, said in an email that there will be books, displays, and special programming highlighting Hispanic and Latino culture.
The library is holding an event from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, which includes a performance by Waukegan-based Ballet Folklórico Erandi.