Visitors gathered at the Museum of Northern Arizona for the final day of the 8th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 30, 2011 in Flagstaff. Ballet Folklorico de Colores of Flagstaff kicked off the entertainment while members of the Southwest Eclectic Artists continued work on their Día de los Muertos mural. Los Compadres entertained the crowd with traditional Mexican folk music in the museum’s courtyard, while Paul Espinosa and Pete Dimas provided information on Hispanic culture past and present in the museum’s lecture hall. Mariachi singer Lilly Jurell also entertained visitors in the museum’s courtyard while others enjoyed tasty Mexican food during the celebration. Ceremonies concluded with the traditional blessing of the ofrendas (altars) with Mariachi Sol Azteca providing the closing music as visitors, performers, artists, members of the museum staff and members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces gathered in front of the mural for a group photo. Celebraciones de la Gente was presented by the Museum of Northern Arizona and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

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Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2011

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From the elegant dance performance of Ballet Folklorico de Colores of Flagstaff, to colorful sugar skulls and cookies, the installation of paper flowers in a memorial garden, performers including Alena Chavez and Poco de Todo entertaining the crowd in the courtyard, artists from the Southwest Eclectic Artists creating a Día de los Muertos mural and rousing music provided by members of Mariachi Sol Azteca of Tuscon, the opening day of Celebraciones de la Gente provided visitors with a variety of activities to choose from. The event, which opened on Oct. 29 at the Museum of Northern Arizona, was presented by the museum and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.