FLAGSTAFF — From a daily Parade de los Muertos in the courtyard featuring members of Ballet Folkloric de Colores — Flagstaff, to large colorful canvas murals created by students throughout Northern Arizona, the 22nd annual Celebraciones de la Gente (Celebrations of the People) offered several new features during its presentation on Oct. 25, 26 at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Sponsored by the Museum in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, the annual Día de los Muertos celebration of course included its traditional display of altars / ofrendas, approaching nearly two dozen this year, cultural lectures on the Latino impact in Flagstaff and the art of creating these meaningful ofrendas.
The event opened with a private blessing by Nuestras members to the four directions of the compass, followed by the lighting of the ofrendas.
There were plenty of activities for young people including five completely sold out sugar skull decorating workshops for students, face painting, Día de los Muertos crafts and calaveritas (short poetry).
Adults and young people were also entertained with a Mexican loteria (lottery) game, a variety of Arizona food vendors.
Performances included Ballet Folklórico de Colores of Flagstaff, with the dance group concluding their daily performance by parading through the museum’s Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard dressed in their colorful Día de los Muertos-themed costumes.
A special annual treat is the Courtyard After Dark celebration, where the lights are dimmed with the candlelight ofrendas offering a moving display. The evening included the performance by Mariachi Agave from Tucson, which also provided daily performances in the museum’s Branigar/Chase Discovery Center.
The weekend event concluded with closing remarks by the Museum’s Executive Director Mary Kershaw, who thanked members of Nuestras Raíces for partnering with the museum for the event. She also thanked the museum’s volunteers and staff including MNA Programs Coordinator Maclovia Corrales who worked closely with the Nuestras team to put on the celebration.
Mariachi Agave then officially closed the event with a procession around the courtyard, through the event’s community ofrenda and out to the north entrance for the official group photo.
Remembering Our Culture & History 