On October 28-30, the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center will celebrate Dia de los Muertos with an exhibit of altars set up in remembrance of local residents and Museum volunteers. In addition, visitors can build tissue paper flowers, and there will be special Día de los Muertos coloring pages and word search games for children. The holiday, celebrated in Mexico and Latin America as well as the United States, is a day that focuses on gatherings of family and friends to remember those who have died. The official celebration occurs on November 1st and 2nd in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.
Join the Museum on October 29th at 6:30pm for ‘Día de los Muertos Explained’ an exploration of the customs of this holiday lead by Tamara McCullough, a local resident. Tamara will explain the significance of items that are placed into the altars including the colorful yellow Marigolds, that are know as cempazuchitl, the scent of which it is said is so enticing that it brings the spirits of the dead back to visit the living.
The Bonita Museum & Cultural Center is located at 4355 Bonita Road in Bonita. The hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10am until 4pm. There is no admission fee for the Museum and parking is free. For further information, please call 619-267-5141.