GADSDEN, AL: Music, folkloric dancing, sugar skull face-painting, and paper flower making are a few of the activities that will be included in the Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead celebration from 10 am to 5 pm Thursday, November 2nd at the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts.  

Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrating death. In late October, towns, and villages in Mexico and in many places in the United States prepare for the big fiesta on the 2nd of November. Ofrendas are created as alters with offerings to remember loved ones who have passed. They are decorated to fit the personality of the deceased with some of their possessions and photographs. The celebration is filled with marigolds, pan del muerto (the bread of the dead), sugar skulls, tissue paper decorations, colorful crafted skeletons, and traditional foods and decorations. Essentially, el Día de los Muertos is a time for families to come together, share memories of past loved ones, and celebrate the joy of being alive.

The family-friendly event will be free to the public. Doors will open at 10 am with food vendors: Old Mexico, Mayan Mexican Cuisine, and Hot Buttery Corn on the Cob. Make-up artist Diana Zavala will be painting faces from 11 am to until 4:30 pm. Imagination Place will be creating paper flowers at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m. The Mariachi band will play at 12:30 pm and 3 pm, accompanied by traditional folkloric dancing. There will be offerings set up by the community, and art created by local artists.

If you would like to set up an offering, art, or get involved, please contact event coordinator Edy Aguilar at (256) 996-2014 or info@culturalarts.org.