FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dee Dee Poteete Director of Communications deedeepoteete@visitsanantonio.com 210/207-6708

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct 13, 2009

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Celebrate Día de los Muertos in San Antonio

 The spirits of the dead are alive and well in San Antonio, site of some of the nation’s most culturally infused Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. Enjoy traditional and contemporary festivities. 

Día de los Muertos is a special observance when the souls of the deceased are said to join the living in a festival to eat, drink and rejoice as they did when they were living. This holiday is great for lovers of culture and history as well as family’s looking for an authentic Halloween celebration. Age-old customs are evident in colorful displays and altares (altars) set up throughout the city. Family and friends of the deceased create these altares dedicating them to the spirits of their loved ones. Candles, brilliant flowers and photos of loved ones are arranged among incense and ofrendas (offerings) like toys, drinks and favorite foods of the deceased. Special delicacies such as traditional Mexican mole sauce, tamales, the ritual pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and lustrous sugar skulls are prepared for the offering. Processions to cemeteries are organized, all-night vigils are held and satirical poems, called calaveras (skulls), are read.

 

Día de los Muertos Event Highlights:

Los Altares Del Mercado - Market Square: October 17 – Nov. 2
Colorful altares decorated with flowers, photographs of loved ones and traditional pan de muerto can be found at Market Square, the nation’s largest Mexican market.

Coffins on Parade – San Antonio River Walk: October 31
This free and eerie evening parade delights onlookers with floating coffins along the San Antonio River.

Día de los Muertos: La Ofrenda - Southwest School of Art & Craft: November 2
Southwest School of Art & Craft artists, staff, students and friends are invited to bring personal offerings to honor the memory of an ancestor.

Muertito Fest - SAY Sí: November 7
SAY Sí celebrates with its Día de los Muertos Festival featuring altar workshops, music stages, film screenings, community altars, crafts and food booths.

Carnival de los Muertos - URBAN 15: November 1
URBAN-15 celebrates the joyful memories of departed friends and family in a parade of dancing and drumming by performers in muerto (dead) costumes.

Día de los Muertos Exhibit and Altar - Mission San José: October 31 - November 2
This three-day, park-sponsored event provides activities and programs to explain the history, symbolism and relevance behind Día de los Muertos. Ofrendas will be on display in the visitor center and church.

Other Día de los Muertos events can be found at visitsanantonio.com or by calling 800-ALAMO-07.