Aurora Downtown will turn downtown into Sugar Skull City from October 15 to November 15.
The 30-day celebration honors the beloved Mexican cultural tradition of Day of the Dead, and will coincide with events during First Fridays, November 6.
Downtown storefronts will be decorated with festive displays for the holiday. Local artists Pierre Lucero, Jose Sanchez, and Joseph Gagnepain painted storefronts along Broadway and Stolp Avenue.
Sugar skull artwork submitted by two dozen Aurora area artists will be displayed in downtown windows. Patrons will be invited to vote on the artwork and participate in photo contests on Aurora Downtown’s social media pages.
Several downtown merchants will offer Day of the Dead items for sale ,including a fresh flower bouquet from Blissful Blooms, chocolate bars from Wyckwood House, and artisan items from The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange and Warehouse 55.
Virtual content will be released on Aurora Downtown’s Facebook and YouTube pages that includes a sugar skull making tutorial, an Aztec dance ceremony, and more.
Patrons will be encouraged to participate in a scavenger hunt to find two yellow sugar skull screen prints in downtown windows, fill up at authentic Mexican bakeries and restaurants, and download coloring pages from the website.
For more information, downloadables, and virtual content, visit auroradowntown.org.
—Aurora Downtown