Day of the Dead Festival at 17th Street Famers’ Market on Thursday

The festival is from 5:00 – 9:00 PM on Thursday, October 30th.

October 28, 2014; 9:01 AM • by Richard Hayes

The official description of the event is directly below.

Join us at the market for an authentic celebration of a beloved Mexican holiday! During the Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, the boundaries between life and death begin to blur, and we honor and celebrate our loved ones who have passed.

This event features delicious traditional Mexican dishes like sweet bread, candies, and empanadas, along with dazzling live performances. Join us for a parade during the blessing of the market, behold live Aztec musicians and dancers and enjoy a Mariachi band! There will also be a live, on-site creation of Ofrendas, a private altar built to honor deceased family and friends.

This event is free to attend and open to all ages. Food and beverages available for purchase. See you there!

Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico and to a lesser extent in other Latin American countries on October 31st, November 1st and November 2nd. Those dates line up with the minor Catholic holidays of All Saints Day and All Souls Day and it’s believed that during this time the spirits of the dead can join their families on earth.

Traditionally the families gather at the grave of a family member make altars and place offerings of food such as pan de muertos baked in shapes of skulls and the deceased favorites. Also on the altar are figures, candles, incense, yellow marigolds known as cempazuchitl and a photo of the departed soul.

Image: 17th Street Farmers’ Market