Day of the Dead honors the departed

Only one Yuma event can boast being popular with both the living and the dead.

This city's annual celebration for Dia de los Muertos - or Day of the Dead - always draws big crowds with its eccentric mix of dazzling colors and visions of death. Folks also love how the traditional Mexican holiday trades mourning for the chance to have a good time.

"Day of the Dead reminds us to celebrate life, instead of fearing death. It's about co-existing with the living and the dead," said Stephanie McMillin, event organizer. "There is a lot of dark humor, but it's just a way of reminding us that people had interests and quirks about them when they were living. Just because they aren't with us anymore doesn't mean we don't find ways to remember them every day."

The Dia de los Muertos celebration is planned for Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive off South Avenue A.

Admission is free.

The event will begin with a Catholic Mass from 11 a.m. to noon. Festivities with follow, offering all kinds of activities for young and old through 4 p.m.

McMillin stressed that Day of the Dead festivities aren't just opportunity to bring local Hispanics together. She said the event also gives other cultures in Yuma a chance to learn about an important Mexican tradition.

"It's a great way for people to come together and take the mystery out of 'What are people doing in graveyards in Mexico?' I just think Day of the Dead is something everybody can share and appreciate."

Two major highlights of the day will be the altar competition and craft workshops.

Altars are traditionally made to honor a deceased person, whether the honoree is a relative or a cherished celebrity. Each year local folks compete in a contest to make the most elaborate altars, which are covered with from everything from pictures and toys to various kinds of candies and favorite foods.

The deadline to enter an altar is Monday, Oct. 26. For more information call McMillin at 373-5040.

Craft workshops will teach youngsters and adults how to make papel picado, paint sugar skulls and how to make papier mache masks.

"There's just a lot of painting and you can get as funky as you want," McMillin said. "We actually get quite a few grown-ups, especially for the sugar skulls. Kids seem to love the masks the most. The kids just go crazy."

Workshops will cost $5 to cover the cost of materials.

Food vendors will be selling traditional Mexican treats like carne asada, pozole and loaves of bread shaped like bones and skulls.

Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by two local bands.