Oriole Park family's handmade ‘Coco’ display brings neighbors and visitors together

A family in Chicago’s Oriole Park neighborhood has turned its front yard into a tribute to “Coco,” bringing a colorful, movie-inspired Halloween display to the Northwest Side. Now in its second year, the project has become a gathering point for neighbors and visitors traveling from beyond the city.

Homeowner Cesar Benavides chose the theme with the neighborhood’s many children in mind, moving away from his original plan for a scarier attraction. His own children’s affection for the film, its story and its cultural themes helped guide the decision. For Benavides, who is Mexican, the display also has a personal connection to his heritage.

The family included an ofrenda in the yard, making it part of the display alongside the movie characters and lighting. His daughter Bella described the project as a way to convey the meaning of Día de los Muertos. That cultural connection gives the seasonal attraction significance for the family beyond its visual appeal.

Putting the scene together takes months of preparation and dozens of LED lights. One of this year’s additions is a 12-foot-tall Mama Imelda, whose oversized outfit required Benavides to make the dress and apron himself. He also assembled her hair using about nine wigs, gluing together pieces that came in different colors.

The audience has grown well beyond the immediate neighborhood. Jesus Perez traveled from Kenosha with his wife and daughter on Monday evening to see the yard. On the busiest nights, the Benavides family said, a couple hundred people gather along the street to take in the display.

Tania Benavides described the response as both humbling and overwhelming, and as recognition of the work her husband puts into the designs. For this Northwest Side family, the project combines a shared favorite movie, handmade decorations and cultural pride while giving neighbors a seasonal reason to come together.