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Community invited to celebrate Dia de los Muertos at downtown restaurant
Dia de los Muertos alter
One of the ways Dia de los Muertos is celebrated is by creating an altar where offerings, like sweet bread and sugar skulls, are placed alongside pictures of passed loved ones, candles, copal incense burners and religious figurines (Photo contributed).

In the United States, Oct. 31 marks what has become known as Halloween, an unofficial holiday that has become synonymous with dressing up in costumes and exchanging candies. Down south in Mexico, the day represents the start of Dia de los Muertos celebrations, better known as Day of the Dead, which involves gatherings to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died.

One of the ways Dia de los Muertos is celebrated is by creating an altar where ‘ofrendas,’ or offerings, like sweet bread and sugar skulls are placed alongside pictures of passed loved ones, candles, copal incense burners and religious figurines. This year, Sergio Gutierrez of Taqueria La Primera on 144 S. First St. is hoping to share the tradition with the community with a three-day celebration.

Beginning on Oct. 31, community members are invited to bring photos of their deceased loved ones and other offerings to their own altar located in the restaurant’s back patio.

“It’s a cultural thing we do. For my family, this is something important we do every year,” Gutierrez explained. “The thing is, many Mexicans don't celebrate it much in the United States, but in Mexico, this day is huge. Here, everybody talks about Halloween, but in Mexico, they laugh about Halloween.”

Gutierrez explained that part of what inspired him to create an altar for the Mexican holiday was the recently created Chicano Downtown mural that lives on the wall of a neighboring building on First Street.

“With this part of town embracing the Chicano Downtown saying with the mural, we're going to try to start bringing these traditions to the community. We're just trying to bring a little ‘cultura’ to the area,” he said.

Community members can drop off their photos and offerings at the altar beginning Oct. 31 from noon to 5 p.m. The patio will be open for more drop offs on Nov. 1 from noon to 8 p.m. On Nov. 2, drop offs can be added from noon to 6 p.m.

Also happening on Nov. 2, the last day of traditional Dia de los Muertos celebrations, the restaurant will be hosting a Dia de los Muertos party in the back patio at 7 p.m., which will feature throwback Latino music from DJ Matt Esco . There will be specials on food and drinks. 

For more info or to RSVP for the Nov. 2 party, call (209) 620-8565.