SPOKANE, Wash. – The Nuestras Raices Community Center is hosting a special celebration for Dia de los Muertos this weekend, marking their 10-year anniversary.
Organizers expect this year’s event to be twice as big as previous years. Inside the center, visitors will find several ofrendas, or offerings, where they can place pictures of loved ones who have passed away, alongside items they cherished. The bright marigold flowers are meant to guide the spirits to join in the celebration.
This year, attendees will notice more Catrinas, the skulls or skeletons often associated with Dia de los Muertos. These symbols have a rich history, originating in 1910 with a Mexican artist, and have since become significant in Mexican culture.
Izabel Mazcot from Nuestras Raices Centro Communitario emphasized the importance of educating the community about the tradition. “We want them to know the true history of this tradition so they can have knowledge of it and spread the word about us and also respect us. To break some of those misconceptions that communities might have about Dia de los Muertos… where it’s evil… it’s not. It’s a beautiful tradition,” Mazcot said.
The celebration is located at 1214 E Sprague. Tonight, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., community members can bring a picture of a loved one to place at one of the ofrendas. Tomorrow, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the festivities will include a Hispanic business expo, mariachi performances, and more.
Organizers stress that this is not a Halloween celebration, so costumes are not appropriate.
