Día de los Muertos celebration approved for city park
– The Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association, in conjunction with the Hispanic Business Association, is proposing to stage a new cultural event, Día de los Muertos, in City Park on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The proposal was given to the Paso Robles City Council at its Tuesday meeting and approved unanimously by the council.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. The holiday is derived from the ritual of the pre-Hispanic peoples of Mexico. Led by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as “Lady of the Dead,” the celebration lasted a month. After the Spanish arrived in Mexico and began converting the native peoples to Roman Catholicism, the holiday was moved to coincide with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 1-2).
In commemoration of the celebration, families create ofrendas – altars welcoming the deceased decorated with photos, candles, flowers, and food. Other prominent symbols related to Day of the Dead are calacas (skeletons) and calaveras (skulls). Traditionally, toys and food, including breads and candies, are created using these symbols.
The inaugural Paso Robles Día de los Muertos event will feature artisans, entertainers, businesses and organizations all celebrating the rich cultural history of the holiday and traditions. The event will not conflict with the Saturday Farmer’s Market located on 11th Street between Spring Street and Park Street and will require no street closures.
Click here to learn more about the event.
