Santa Paula’s Dia de Los Muertos Celebration: Day of the Dead Festivities

The community is invited to a celebration of life beginning October 27 and commencing November 2.

The community is invited to a celebration of life beginning October 27 and commencing November 2. This celebration will include workshops to learn about the day and a procession commemorating El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Día de los Muertos is an ancient cultural celebration of life stemming from the traditional ceremonial cycle of the indigenous people of México that has existed for over 10,000 years. Through the honoring of dearly departed ancestors, such as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the remembering of departed siblings, children and friends, the living celebrate their own lives. During the time leading up to the four days of commemorations in November, interactions with those who have passed on are remembered.The hope of the celebration co-presenters, Santa Paula Family Resource Center, De Colores Arts Group, Santa Paula Latino Town Hall and Danza Azteca Tonantzin is that the community will come together to learn about this traditional celebration and to honor their beloved departed. The celebration will begin with a workshop which will offer an opportunity to learn more about el Día de Los Muertos and to make beautiful traditional art pieces customary to this day. Two workshops are scheduled on Thursday, October 27 at 3 pm and will be repeated on Saturday October 29 at 1 pm. Both workshops are free and will be held at the Santa Paula Family Resource Center at 940 East Main Street. The celebration will conclude on Wednesday, November 2 where the community is invited to gather at 5 pm at Ebell Park, 7th and Main Street. Face-painting, music and danza will be enjoyed. Xavier Montes and his protégé, ten-year old Danya Zizumbo, will perform and the danza will be by Danza Azteca Tonantzin. The procession down Main Street to the Family Resource Center will begin at 6:30 pm. At the Family Resource Center, the celebration of life will continue with the Blessing of the altar, more danza, and refreshments. This is a wonderful cultural and educational opportunity for the community to learn more about Día de Los Muertos and to celebrate life. All activities are free