Carbondale celebrated Día de los Muertos at First Friday with a packed program of festive performances and a procession through downtown.
People saw performances from Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklórico dancers, the Sopris Soarers, the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra and Mezcla Socials. Other community partners producing the event included Carbondale Arts, The Thunder River Theatre Company and the Carbondale Chamber.
This year, the festivities also recognized longtime Ballet Folkórico instructor Francisco “Paco” Nevarez-Burgueño for his contributions to the celebration and the community.
Nevarez-Burgueño said celebrations such as this are a way to share Mexican culture and traditions with the next generation living here in the United States.
“That's a goal for this program, especially for Día de los Muertos, to keep that celebration alive in these kids who are here in the United States,” he said.
It’s also a way to educate the community about the significance of the celebration.
“It's not like something scary,” he said. “It’s a celebration of life through the Day of the Dead.”
A procession featuring the Ballet Folklórico dancers and large-scale catrina puppets started at 6 p.m.
Bonfire Coffee and the Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance served up festive foods such as Mexican hot chocolate and pan de muertos, according to a news release. Valley Settlement offered face-painting and Lotería games.
A community ofrenda outside of the Launchpad kicked off Día de los Muertos on Tuesday and will remain up through Nov. 11. Community members can bring photos and mementos of their loved ones who have died for a collective remembrance.
