Oct. 21, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Angelica Nuñez, Director
Somos Windsor
707-239-0144
Windsor Dia de Muertos Celebration Set for November 2 on the Town Green
Windsor's 13th Annual Dia de Muertos celebration is set for Saturday, Nov. 2, from 3 to 8 p.m. on the Windsor Town Green. Everyone is welcome at the free, traditional family-friendly celebration honoring ancestors, family and friends now among "Los Muertos" - The Dead.
Bring the family and your portable beach and camping chairs to set up on the grass in front of the Town Green stage to eat, relax and take in the evening’s cultural events, dance, and music. Low-backed, low-legged beach chairs should be in front, closest to the stage. Regular campfire/folding chairs should be set up behind them.
The event will be alcohol and tobacco-free, in keeping with indigenous and spiritual traditions throughout Latin America, according to organizers.
The popular La Catrina Contest returns, with a first prize of $200. Catrinas must register by emailing: windsormuertos@gmail.com by Oct. 28. Contest will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Also returning this year, but in a new format, is the “Ofrendas” art exhibit on the Town Green. It’s currently on display in the Bosque (grove) at the corner of McClelland and Market Streets. The display features large standing wooden Calaveras (sugar skulls) painted by Windsor artists and families. The new exhibit style comes in response to the high winds and rain that frequently visit Windsor in October.
As always, Windsor’s Dia de Muertos celebration on Nov. 2 will include a free children’s sugar skull workshop, face painting, a Lowrider Car show, free music, dancing, and performances by Cali Calmecac Ballet Folklórico, Ballet Folklórico Sarita, and a festival market featuring food and arts and crafts goods made by local Latino artisans.
Timing for specific activities includes:
Free children’s events from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Bosque (grove). The popular “Calaveras” Sugar Skull Creation activity is back gain. This year children will be able to decorate their sugar skulls at tables full of sequins, colored icing, rosettes and more. Children should be accompanied by a parent. Limited quantities; first come, first served.
Lowrider Car Show: Begins at 3 p.m. on Market Street. Lowrider cars from clubs throughout the county will have their autos on display, and decorated for Dia De Muertos.
Traditional opening and dance blessing: 3:30 p.m., Sparks Memorial Stage near the Windsor Library. Danza Xantotl, the Mexica Indigenous dance group, will offer a traditional blessing, with conch shell calls. The opening blessings will be followed by a procession around the Town Green.
Festival goers are encouraged to join in the procession and follow the dancers on their path around the green, thinking of their ancestors, relatives and friends now among Los Muertos.
After the procession returns to the stage area, traditional Latin American dance and music performances will begin. See a variety of Ballet Folklorico troupes and the Luther Burbank Center Youth Mariachi Orchestra.
Latino Food Trucks and Artisan’s Mercadito, 4 - 8 p.m. on the Town Green. Get ready for fry bread, tacos, pozole, churros, chocolate and more from a wide array of local Latino food trucks and shops. Vendors at the Mercadito will be selling their sale jewelry, pottery, soaps, clothing, toys, and more. Vendors have already been selected, but if you think you have unique food or craft related to Dia de los Muertos, email your information to windsormuertos@gmail.com.
Dia de Muertos 2024 events will wrap up at 8 p.m. Nov. 24.
Windsor’s Dia de Muertos celebration is organized by the nonprofit Somos Windsor and paid for by local businesses who sponsor the event. It’s become an annual tradition and is now in its 13th year.
The annual event now costs roughly $15,000 to put on, and draws crowds from 1,000 to 2,500 people. “Our local Windsor business sponsors and community make this event what it is,” said Angelica Nuñez, one of the Somos Windsor event organizers. “Without them, there would be no Windsor Dia de Muertos.”
To become a sponsor, email windsormuertos@gmail.com.
コメント