Cedar City will celebrate Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, with a festival featuring traditional music, dance and activities that honor loved ones who passed away.
The free festival, organized by Prestige Event Management Group, will take place on Friday, Oct. 30, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Main Street Park, located at 200 N. Main St. The event intends to share Mexican cultural traditions with the Cedar City residents and to allow families to celebrate their heritage.
“We were inspired by the desire to share our roots and create a space where families could come together through culture and remembrance,” said Emily Contreras, a representative of Prestige Event Management Group. “For those of us living far from Mexico, our traditions help us stay connected to our homeland and pass a sense of belonging to our children.”
Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2. During the holiday, families remember deceased loved ones through ofrendas, or altars, decorated with photographs, flowers, food and other personal items.
Contreras, who has previously celebrated the holiday in Mexico, explained how these traditions help families remember loved ones and pass down their stories to younger generations.
“When a family prepares an ofrenda, chooses photographs, or cooks a loved one’s favorite dish, conversations open up across generations,” Contreras said. “Grandparents tell stories, parents share memories, and children learn about relatives they may never had the chance to meet.”
This year’s festival will feature performances by ANAYANSI Folkloric Ballet and Danza Patamban, along with live music from Shangalu Latin Music and norteño band Alta Elegancia.
Those attending can also participate in a Catrina contest, which is a costume and makeup competition held during Day of the Dead. Attendees can also watch a parade showcasing Catrina costumes and Abby, a horse decorated with a skeleton design.
The festival will also include a community ofrenda where people can place photographs of loved ones who have passed away.
The organizers hope that the event will encourage those attending to learn more about Mexican culture and the traditions associated with Día de los Muertos.
“I want children to leave with questions about their roots, families and to find an opportunity to share their stories, and first-time visitors to feel welcome,” Contreras said. “For younger generations growing up in the United States, these gatherings also carry an important message: their roots have a place and value within the community they call home.”
For more information, visit Prestige Event Management’s events page.
Author: Charlee Steed
Photo courtesy of Southern Utah University
Editor: Lainey Porter
arts@suunews.net