Emporia’s annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration is just around the corner.
Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow is once again teaming up with Emporia Main Street to bring the event to the downtown corridor on Saturday, October 25. As always, the celebration will begin with a parade through the 800 and 900 blocks of Commercial Street, followed by music, dancing, food, vendors and much more.
HOTT President Mike Torres, a recent guest of KVOE’s Talk of Emporia, says all are welcome to attend the event, calling it a great opportunity for individuals to grow their knowledge of another culture.
Dia de Los Muertos, translated to Day of the Dead, is a Spanish holiday predominantly observed in Mexico, which involves family and friends paying respects to the memories of loved ones who have passed. In addition to music, food and dancing, individuals commemorate the day by decorating ofrendas, altars that honor, welcome and remember the dead with photographs, foods, flowers, candles and personal effects.
Torres explains that the ofrenda is essentially a visual representation of who that person was.
Emporia’s Dia de Los Muertos activities will run from 10:30 am to 3 pm on October 25 and will coincide with Emporia Main Street’s downtown trick-or-treating event. For those wishing to participate in the parade, registrations are still being accepted through late next week.
If you are interested in being involved, please contact HOTT via Facebook, by calling 620-366-1094, or by emailing Hottfiesta1@gmail.com.
