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There are those who think of Dia de los Muertos as something of a Mexican Halloween. Considering the macabre costumes, plethora of skeletal images, and family trips to the cemetery, it’s easy to see why. But, that supposition is incorrect. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a...

By Glenn BurnSilver

October 25, 2012

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There are those who think of Dia de los Muertos as something of a Mexican Halloween. Considering the macabre costumes, plethora of skeletal images, and family trips to the cemetery, it’s easy to see why. But, that supposition is incorrect. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a sacred time dedicated to honoring deceased friends and relatives. But it’s also a party that celebrates their lives rather than mourning the loss.

The CALA Alliance hosts a free Day of the Dead Festival from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, at Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 North Third Street. Activities include mask making, kid's craft stations, dance exhibitions, a colorful procession of eight-foot-tall puppets, and live music. Don’t forget to pick up your own Día de los Muertos figurines and some sugar skulls at the artisan's market to keep you always in the right spirit.

Sun., Oct. 28, 12:30-5:30 p.m., 2012

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