Halloween-ish

Do you love Halloween as much as the Little Dragans and I do?

 B's first Halloween. This picture is a fake, she actually slept through trick-or-treating.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have proclaimed Halloween my favorite holiday. After all, it combines the two things I love most: pretending to be something I'm not and sugar!

Little Guy's first Halloween. Big sister hugs can be very scary.

 

We love all the dressing up, the parties, the trick-or-treating, the whole business. 

BUT, there's some other really cool stuff that goes on in the city at this time of year, too. I thought I'd highlight a few places you should check out. Let your candy-fueled adventure begin!

Day of the Dead Activities in Pilsen

 

El Dia de los Muertos, traditionally observed in parts of Mexico, coincides with Halloween and All Saints Day. To honor loved ones who have passed on, families construct altars in their honor and then place ofrendas (offerings) such as the loved ones' favorite foods or sugar skulls at the altar while remembering them. 

 

Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood offers many ways to mark the days surrounding the holiday.

 

UNO's Carrera de los Muertos: Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 8 am.

http://unoraceofthedead.org/ 

This fun and festive 5k weaves through Pilsen and ends with a big celebration complete with mariachi bands and Mexican food. Registration is closed for this year, but it's still a fun one to watch as many runners dress in full costume...

...like this goofy family. And now there's a picture of me in gold spandex on the internet. 

 

"Journey of the Soul" exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art:

http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/ 

This is one of my favorite museums in Chicago and the Day of the Dead exhibit is the highlight of the year. Best part: it's free. I'm sure they'd appreciate your donation, though!

Dia de los Muertos Kids Festival: Sunday, October 30, 2016 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dia-de-los-muertos-festival-para-ninos-tickets-28340626577
Hosted by Chicago Latina Moms at La Catrina Cafe (1011 W 18th St.), this will be a fun-filled day with activities, crafts, and opportunities to explore the tradition of the Dia de los Muertos!

Make a Mummy at the Oriental Institute in Hyde Park:
In addition to using the "mummy simulator," there will also be crafts, games, and a fortune teller!
Saturday, October 29, 2016 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, more info and free registration link:
http://oi.uchicago.edu/events/event.html?guid=CAL-ff808081-568cf8b9-0156-8fcda134-00004c30eventscalendar%40uchicago.edu&calPath=%2Fpublic%2Fcals%2FMainCal

Give away your candy for a good cause!:
I know, right. Blasphemy.
But if your house is anything like ours, we end up with pounds (literally) of candy that we won't--or shouldn't--eat and it sits there until approximately Easter. When we get more candy.
So an alternative is to donate or even sell it at one of these locations who use it for care packages for our troops:
http://redtri.com/chicago/where-to-sell-your-sweets-halloween-candy-buy-backs/

These are just a few ideas to get you started! Whether you dress up, pass out candy, or just turn off all the lights and hope you don't get egged, we all wish you a very happy and safe Halloween!!