Day of Dead celebration is Oct 28

ALAMOSA – Sugar skulls, music and dancing, paper flower making, and food will all be included in the Day of the Dead Celebration from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alamosa, hosted by the Adams State University Spanish Program and Spanish Club, El Parnaso, and the Sacred Heart Church.

According to Dr. Eva Rayas Solís, Spanish professor, El Parnaso, formed in 1928, has organized a type of celebration to commemorate Día de los Muertos for the last 17 years.

“It began with a small display of “Ofrendas” or “Altares” and decorations on the hall outside of the Foreign Language faculty offices. In the last few years, we collaborated with the Catholic Church, who allows the use of their stage and gymnasium,” Rayas Solís said.

Día de los Muertos, an important traditional celebration in Latin America, has its origin in the native cultures of Mesoamerica: Aztec and Mayan.  “It is very important to celebrate as they do in Latin America,” Rayas Solís added.

This year the celebration will offer a number of activities for families attending including traditional food tasting, altars display, dances, sugar skulls decoration, face painting, and more.

“Paradoxically the Day of the Dead celebration is a colorful party,” Rayas Solís said. “The students and I are very excited to host this wonderful event.”

Caption: Face painting will be included in Adams State Spanish Club and Sacred Heart Church Dia de los Muertos Celebration on October 28. Photo by Daniel Parsons