Community
The Day of the Dead is a joyful holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries on Nov. 1 and 2, though other days may be included depending on the locality.
The holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and remember friends and family members who have died, usually with a great deal of color, decorations, food, and music.
Locally, the two celebrations will be held at Root Coffeehouse in Pitt State’s Block22, 402 N. Broadway, and at Pritchett Pavillion at 2nd and Broadway in Immigrant Park.
At Root, the celebration will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. and will feature an “ofrenda,” -- a table that is decorated and covered with things such as photographs, flowers, and candles for Day of the Dead.
Francisco Castaneda, a senior in Early Childhood and Spanish and vice president of the Pitt State Spanish Club, and Ben Montague, a senior in Nursing and Spanish and president of Spanish Club, are working with children in the ESOL program in Pittsburg Community Schools on art projects to create and decorate the ofrenda.
They are inviting families of the children to attend the special event and see their work.
Community members also are invited to attend and participate by adding their own remembrances to the ofrenda, Castenada said, and Mexican hot chocolate -- “Abuelita” -- will be available for purchase.
“We invite you to come learn more about the Day of the Dead celebration and help celebrate us loved ones,” Castenada said.
At the Pritchett Pavillion, the celebration will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. It is being coordinated by Adjunct Music Instructor Isaac Hernandez and his wife, Frida – both advisors of the Pitt State Hispanics of Today student organization.
That event also will feature an ofrenda and music by Pittsburg Hispanic Banda, which is comprised of a mix of Hispanic musicians, Pitt State students, and several area music teachers who are Pitt State alumni. Hernandez, an adjunct faculty member in the Music Department, formed the band last year.
Attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair and dress for the weather.
Organizers will share the meaning and history behind Day of the Dead, and attendees will be invited to celebrate the memory of their own ancestors.
“We would love to have people not only from PSU but from the community,” said Hernandez. “This is a very special event because we can honor our relatives that are not longer with us.”
“It’s traditionally celebrated in Mexico and according to our ancestors, our relatives are allowed to come back to our world and visit us during those days. We think that people here in Pittsburg will have fun and we all be gathering together to honor our beloved people!”
