U-46 Educational Foundation and Gail Borden Public Library Foundation to Present Day of the Dead Race and Festival - Registration opens July 1
- Inaugural 2024 - Día de Muertos Carrera y Festival
- Day of the Dead Race & Festival
November 2 and more fall events will celebrate Mexican culture
Race Registration Opens July 1
ELGIN - Two local organizations are teaming up to present a major celebration of Mexican culture. A unique display, festival, and 5K will showcase community diversity while raising funds to support thousands of residents served by both School District U-46 and the Gail Borden Public Library District.
Running of the skeletons, artistically decorated cultural Olmec heads, huge Catrina puppets, an ofrenda (display for honoring loved ones), live music, and food will kick off the Day of the Dead Festival on Nov. 2, 2024. In remarkable fashion, the Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation and the U-46 Educational Foundation have partnered to create an extraordinary family-friendly race and fall season for this community.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, El Trote De Las Calacas (the Skeleton Trot), a USATF-certified 5K race (and walk) steps off amid music and fanfare at 8 a.m. on a course that begins at the Gail Borden Public Library at 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, and winds through Elgin’s historic northeast neighborhood and scenic bike path along the Fox River. Library trustee and VNA Clinical Coordinator Elisa Lara will be the race MC. Early bird race registration opens on July 1 at gailborden.info/trote.
Additionally, sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations interested in supporting this unique cultural event while gaining exposure to a diverse audience.
Following the race, the Day of the Dead Festival opens in the Library at 10 a.m. Visitors will enjoy cultural vendors, a bilingual storytime, a presentation of ofrenda elements, face painting, a Mexican lottery, a take-home craft, sales of items to make your own ofrenda, and a photo booth with the Library's Catrinas. Plus, there will be live music by Yael Xolalpa accompanied by Chaparrita de Oro-Xitlali and a mariachi band, a costume contest for adults and kids, champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate) and sweet bread, information tables, and more!