What started as a few canopies in the parking lot behind The Menagerie has now become one of the biggest Dia De Los Muertos celebrations in California. Cosme Cordova of the Division 9 Gallery started the celebration as a tribute to the Mexican tradition of building ofrendas (altars) for deceased family members as a way of honoring their memory.
The “Sugar Skull” aesthetic grew in popularity and the celebrations began to extend beyond regional and cultural boundaries. The Riverside celebration has grown, this year, to a two day celebration. Saturday and Sunday, November 2 and 3, tens of thousands of visitors are expected to visit the festivities on Market between 14th and Mission Inn.
The ofrendas will be displayed at White Park. Families will sit at the altars commemorating their family members and to chat with festival goers. Outside of the park there will be food and craft vendors, dance and costume shows, and two stages of live music and entertainment. There will also be classic cars from local clubs lining Market.
This event has become the largest civic gathering outside of the first night of the Festival of Lights. Come see me at the Riversider Magazine booth. I will be putting in the long hours this weekend and I would love to meet all of you.
Riverside’s Alternative Gift Fair showcases handmade treasures that support local and global causes, blending creativity with compassion this holiday season.
