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The family-friendly cultural event featured mariachi music, face painting and candy skull decorations. An ofrenda, or altar, decorated in remembrance of the dead remains open for viewing through Monday, Nov. 9, in Springfield.
Visitors to an elaborately decorated ofrenda, or altar, combined remembrance with a celebration of culture Saturday, Nov. 7, in Springfield.
“I wanted to come out to show my kids one of our traditions of Día de los Muertos, so that they can remember our family that has passed away,” said Karina Vixie.
More than 50 people at the Bob Keefer Center heard mariachi music, decorated sugar skulls or had their faces painted at a Día de Muertos event organized by several community groups along with Willamalane Park and Recreation District.
Día de los Muertos, observed Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, is a time for families to remember loved ones who have passed.
Home altars in Mexico have photos of those lost and other items, such as candles and flowers, while festivities may include colorful street parades and sugary treats like candy skulls. Other countries in Central and Latin America also celebrate the holiday in some form, though traditions vary.
“Even though Day of the Dead has ended, we still want to create an opportunity for folks to feel like they can be part of this. And so it’s been really beautiful to see people bringing photos, adding to the exhibit,” said Johanis Tadeo, an event organizer and director of Springfield Alliance for Equity and Respect.
Macrina Garcia, wearing freshly applied face paint, spoke in Spanish about growing up with Día de Muertos and continuing the tradition.
“I have an ofrenda in my home, and every year we celebrate Día de los Muertos for our departed loved ones,” Garcia, a Springfield resident, said. “I love all these traditions being kept alive here, so we don’t forget.”
Comunidad y Herencia Cultural, Escudo Latino, Springfield Public Library and House of Unity also helped organize the event, Tadeo said.
“We’ve lost a lot of people this year, a lot of very important people in our community,” Tadeo said, including Marion Malcolm, who previously served as director of Springfield Alliance for Equity and Respect. Malcolm, a longtime community organizer, died this year at age 87.
“We wanted to make sure that we share their story, their existence, and the impact that they left here,” Tadeo said.
The ofrenda will remain open for public viewing at the Keefer Center through Nov. 9.
