Día de los Muertos celebration set for Nov. 1 in downtown Wenatchee

WENATCHEE — Downtown Wenatchee will host a free Día de los Muertos celebration Sunday, Nov. 1, featuring live mariachi music, traditional dance performances, cultural activities and a Catrina Parade and Contest.

The event will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wenatchee Avenue between First and Second streets, near the Numerica Performing Arts Center.

The celebration is organized by the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center, Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Numerica Performing Arts Center and Danzas Multiculturales.

Activities will include performances by Eastmont Mariachi, Wenatchee High School Mariachi and other performers, along with folklórico dancing, craft activities, face painting and food trucks.

A community altar will also be available for attendees to display photographs of deceased loved ones in recognition of the holiday's traditions of remembrance.

Danzas Multiculturales will host a Catrina Parade and Contest beginning at 5 p.m. Participation is free and open to all ages.

Contest categories include children ages 6 to 12, youth and adults ages 13 and older, and a category recognizing the most original costume. Advance registration is required to qualify for prizes. Participants must register by Thursday, Oct. 22, by calling or texting 509-669-6080.

In addition to the outdoor celebration, Danzas Multiculturales will present performances at the Numerica Performing Arts Center at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are required for those performances and are available through the performing arts center's website.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is observed from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 and has roots in Indigenous Mexican traditions dating back thousands of years. The holiday honors deceased family members and friends through gatherings, offerings and remembrance.

Traditional observances in Mexico include creating altars decorated with marigolds, sugar skulls, photographs and the favorite foods and beverages of deceased loved ones. Related traditions are also observed in other parts of Latin America and around the world.

Admission to the outdoor Wenatchee celebration is free. Organizers recommend bringing cash because some food truck vendors may not accept other forms of payment.

Additional information about the ticketed performances is available at numericapac.org.