Carbondale resurrects Día de los Muertos for First Friday
Julianna O’Clair/ Post Independent archive
Carbondale’s penultimate First Friday celebration of the year will honor Día de los Muertos on Friday, offering community members a chance to remember loved ones and celebrate Mexican culture and traditions.
“We’re so fortunate that this event has grown so much,” Sarah Overbeck, Executive Director of Carbondale Arts said. “Our community partners have made it so spectacular.”
The celebration will feature catrinas and cempasúchil flowers, or marigolds, at the celebration along with a community ofrenda, an altar honoring deceased loved ones, at the Launchpad.
“It’s already been constructed and decorated on Tuesday,” Overbeck said. “Anyone can bring a remembrance of a loved one, photos and objects.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring photocopies of loved ones because the altar is outdoors and will be subject to the weather.
“We’re going to have a lot of groups performing this year, including the Rhythmystics, the Stilting Sisters, and more,” Overbeck said.
Folklorico and Cumbre Sol will also be performing, along with the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra, El Proyecto de Mariachi and Mezcla Social Dance. Hot chocolate will be provided by Carbondale Arts and Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (SANA).
“The Catrinas will be led by Estela Lopez, who is originally from Oaxaca,” Overbeck said. “Our puppets were made by Soozie Lindbloom from the Carbondale Clay Center and artist Annie Bell while working with students from Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork Valley.”
Food trucks at the event will include El Bajón de Churros, Taqueria El Yaqui and El Sabor de México. Face-painting, vendors, and family friendly activities will also be available.
“The Roaring Fork Valley is nearly 40% Latino, and diversity is always something to celebrate,” Emily Reilly, Programs Manager for Carbondale Arts said in a press release. “Continuing Carbondale’s Día de los Muertos celebration is one small but meaningful way Carbondale Arts can honor the Mexican heritage that is such an important part of our valley.”
The parade starts at 6 p.m. at the Third Street Center and will arrive at Chacos Park for performances around 6:45 p.m. For more information, visit carbondalearts.com/upcoming-events/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration.
What: Carbondale First Friday: Día de los Muertos
When: 4:30-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: The Launchpad, 76 S. Fourth St., Carbondale
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