The Civic Center Conservancy has officially announced that the Día de los Muertos Celebration will make it’s return to the Civic Center Park on October 26th and will be presented by Denver Botanic Gardens.
This event is free and open to the public who want to honor the memory of loved ones or learn more about this vibrant cultural tradition, and kicks off from 11am to 7pm.
“My goal for this event is to create the space to honor and remember, as a collective, our ancestors and loved ones who have passed into the other realms,” Cal Duran, artistic & cultural director of Día de los Muertos at Civic Center: Remembering our Ancestors through Art said, according to Denver7. “I hold our community with reverence and integrity and honor the uniqueness of each community member’s traditions and spirit in creating beautiful ofrendas.”
Here is the lineup of activities, according to Denver7:
● Community Ofrendas: Beautifully decorated altars honoring deceased loved ones, adorned with marigolds, candles, photographs, and offerings of food and drink.
● Art Installations: Encounter larger-than-life sculptures and other artworks depicting Mesoamerican imagery located throughout the park.
● Traditional Music and Dance: Live performances of traditional Mexican music and folkloric dance, embodying the rich cultural heritage of Día de los Muertos.
● Art and Craft Vendors: Local artisan vendors offering unique, hand-made crafts, art and jewelry in the El Mercadito (“little market”).
● Healing Arts Vendors: Local Indigenous and other non-Western healers will offer cleanses, tinctures, and spiritual rituals in the Cúrate Corner (“heal yourself”).
● Food Trucks: On-site food trucks offering delicious traditional Mexican and other Latin-American cuisine.
● Family-Friendly Activities: Interactive workshops and activities for all ages, such as storytime and book giveaway with the Denver Public Library, a take-home calaveras keychain craft with The Center on Colfax, and face painting.
“We are thrilled to host this artist and community-led Día de los Muertos celebration for all of Denver,” Eric Raya Steinbeiss, director of community partnerships & activations added. “As a Mexican-American, it’s so important to see and experience my cultural traditions spotlighted in Civic Center Park, a vibrant gathering space in the heart of Denver. To engage and collaborate with a rich diversity of local organizations, artisans, performers, healers, and food trucks while honoring the cultural significance of the holiday – to remember our departed ancestors and loved ones – is deeply meaningful.”
Visit the Conservancy’s Día de los Muertos website. for more information.
