El Panteon de Sacramento Dia de los Muertos Celebration

The Panteón de Sacramento (Sacramento’s Cemetery) is an urban re-creation of Día de los Muertos that takes place in small village cemeteries throughout Mexico. Experience over 60 ofrendas (memorials) made by families and organizations, 40 vendors, food, sugar skulls and mask making and live performances.

Processions will move south from 20th St. & J St., head east on K St., then north on 21st St., and into Jazz Alley. The procession will include two bandas, giant mojigangas (papier-mâché puppets), multiple area ballet folklorica groups, ten charros (including five specially-trained dancing horses), along with Brown Issues, the community/student organization — and all who want to join in will be part of the one hour parade.

Día de los Muertos is a very personal holiday and each family that celebrates it has their own unique traditions that they follow. It is a cathartic experience for the living as well as a time to honor and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed on to the afterlife. “The dead come to life in the memory of the living, who evoke their particular customs, tastes, virtues and defects (Orellana 1999:67).” Dia de los Muertos acquaints children to their ancestors, as well as introduces the concept of death to children at an early age as a natural rite of passage. For adults, it provides an opportunity for communal mourning. Emotions surrounding Día de los Muertos can be somber as well as celebratory. It is a time to remember, honor and show respect to the departed. The colorful holiday serves as a reunion for the dead as well as the living.