Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Museum is set to host a Day of the Dead Family Day on Saturday, November 2, at the Illinois Building located on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., is open to the public and free for all ages.

The celebration will honor Dia de los Muertos with various activities such as art making, creating personal ofrendas, cooking demonstrations, games, and community partner programming. Attendees can also enjoy dance performances and lessons, story time sessions, and more. The event will feature vendors including the Illinois State Museum Society Shop.

The University of Illinois Diversity Center and Hispanic Women of Springfield will contribute by creating ofrendas for attendees to view. Due to ongoing construction at the museum itself, this year's event will be held at the fairgrounds. The museum is expected to reopen on Monday, November 4.

Jenn Edginton, interim director of the Illinois State Museum and its first Latina leader, stated: "Our Day of the Dead Family Day is a fantastic program celebrating and learning about the Latine and Hispanic community in Illinois." She added that despite not being able to hold the event within the museum this year, they are eager to welcome everyone for this cultural experience.

For further details on activities planned for the day, visitors are encouraged to check out the museum's website. The program is presented in partnership with both Hispanic Women of Springfield and the University of Illinois Diversity Center and is sponsored by the Illinois State Museum Society.