SAFFORD — Gila Valley residents will have three chances to celebrate a traditional Mexican holiday.
Dios de los Muertos will be celebrated by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Parrish Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a public viewing of the ofrendas from 5-7 p.m. Entry to the public viewing is $5.
On Thursday, Nov. 3, the Eastern Arizona College Multicultural College will host a Dios de los Muertos event at the EAC Amphitheater, from 6-9 p.m. The event will feature music, dancing and food.
Finally, on Friday, Nov. 4, from 4-6 p.m., the Safford City-Graham County Library will host a Dios de los Muertos Loteria Game Night.
The images on the loteria cards will be those important to the Dios de los Muertos celebration, to give children and adults a fun way to learn about the holiday. There will also be cookies and hot chocolate available.
Dios de los Muertos — in English the Day of the Dead —is the Mexican holiday to remember and celebrate lost family members and friends, and is traditionally celebrated in cemeteries. The first day, Nov. 1, is to remember lost children, and adults on Nov. 2.
Families place items on the ofrendas (altars) liked by the dead, such as toys for children, and favorite foods or drink for adults. There are also photos of the dead, and pillows and blankets left out for the dead to rest after their journey.
“The marigolds that they put there is an entrance to the dead to come out and celebrate with the people who are alive,” said with Eastern Arizona Hispanic Heritage Corporation’s Bob Rivera.
Celebrants dress up, often with face make-up to mimic a skull, and the most common gift to give each other are candy sugar skulls, and pan de muerto, or bread of the dead. There is often music and dancing, and some locations celebrate with a parade through the town to the cemetery.
“Everybody’s happy, there’s no depression or nothing like that. It’s celebrating the lives of their loved ones,” said Michael Andazola with Eastern Arizona Hispanic Heritage Corporation.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 10:49 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, to include the information about the event at the Safford City-Graham County Library.
