Each year, it seems that the Longmont Museum's Day of the Dead event can't get any bigger, but each year, it continues to grow. Now in its seventh year, the Longmont Museum's Day of the Dead event has become one of its largest and most popular Día de los Muertos festivals in northern Colorado. The Museum and its many community partners present programs, an exhibition, and a celebration for everyone attracting over 1,700 people. This year the main event happens Saturday, October 27, from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission to all events is free.

El Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Latino holiday honoring ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. Families create altars with photographs, favorite foods, and personal mementos of the deceased. From October 20 to November 4 the Museum will host an exhibition of community altars, titled La Ofrenda de los Muertos: Honoring Days of the Dead. Local families, schools, and organizations from throughout the area make these altars, filling them with items of special significance.

Saturday October 27 will feature a wide variety of family activities from 11 am to 5 pm at the Museum, including traditional food such as chicken mole and pan de los muertos, sugar skull decorating, temporary Day of the Dead tattoos, and flower making . Entertainment features Mexican storytelling with Renee Fajardo and Aztec Danzante Tonali; singing from the Canciónes de Mi Tierra and Coro San Juan groups; and dance by the Alternatives for Youth Folklorico Dancers and the Longmont Inca Peruvian Dancers.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Volunteer Sugar Skull Making Day

Sunday, October 21, 1-4 pm

Help make sugar skulls for the event.

At the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center, 400 Quail Rd., 303-651-8374

Skulls Masks & Stories!

Thursday, October 25, 6-8 pm

Skull Masks project for ages 3 and older.

At Longmont Public Library, 409 4th Ave., 303-651-8477

DAY OF THE DEAD EVENT

Saturday Oct. 27, 11 am-5 pm

Longmont Museum & Cultural Center 400 Quail Road, 303 651-8374

All events are free and open to the public.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Alternatives for Youth, Inc., Boulder County Community Food Share, Boulder Community Actions Program, Casa de la Esperanza, Consulate of Mexico in Denver, El Comité de Longmont, Intercambio de Comunidades, Longmont Sister Cities Association, City of Longmont Divisions of Community and Neighborhood Resources, Services, Library, Museum, Parks and Forestry, and Senior Services

Sponsors

Community Foundation Serving Boulder County, Friends of the Longmont Museum, La Panda Bakery; Las Americas Tortilleria; Longmont Community Foundation, Longmont Dairy Farms, Inc.; Lynn & Helen Clark Fund, Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Tortilla Laguna, Tortilleria y Taqueria El Rey

For more information in Spanish call 303-651-6125, El Comité de Longmont

GENERAL MUSEUM INFORMATION