Food, music, flowers, and kites will be the perfect setting for Redwood City to come to life this Sunday, November 5, when residents and visitors will be able to celebrate the “Day of the Dead” by getting closer to the cultures of Mexico and Central America through unique traditions full of folklore.
Casa Circulo Cultural, in collaboration with the San Mateo County History Museum and the Redwood City Library, have called on everyone to celebrate this incredible celebration starting at 1:30 p.m. at Redwood City's Courthouse Square, located at 2200 Broadway.
This year, Mayan culture will be the common thread for the celebration, which will allow us to immerse ourselves in how death and the return of loved ones are conceived and celebrated in places with Mayan traditions, such as in southeastern Mexico and parts of Guatemala.
In Guatemala, a significant portion of the population is made up of mestizos, a dynamic fusion of Spanish and Mayan heritage.
A notable tradition that stems from their Mayan ancestry is the eerie practice of flying kites during the Day of the Dead festivities.
The essence of this tradition is to make and fly giant colorful kites over the cemeteries of Guatemala, a moving and vibrant way to honor and connect with ancestors, loved ones, and friends who have traveled beyond this realm.
Join this incredible annual celebration, the welcoming speech and procession will begin at 6:00 p.m. with honored guests. But, you can come as early as 3:30 p.m. to see the majestic ceremonial altars created by community members inside the San Mateo County History Museum.
These altars are part of a temporary exhibition that will be on display from this Sunday, November 5th until November 11th.
The exhibition includes a special altar, where tribute is paid to the victims of hate crimes in the country.
Among other activities, face painting, free children's activities, food court and live entertainment throughout the night.
There will be vendors selling traditional Day of the Dead food such as hot chocolate, pan de muerto, tamales and more!
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