Mendocino College is thrilled to extend a warm invitation to the entire community for our 11th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration. This vibrant event will take place on Wednesday, Oct.  25, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Pomo Plaza, on the Ukiah campus.

The heart of the celebration lies in the beautifully crafted altars, lovingly prepared by Mendocino College students, staff, and community members. These altars will be assembled beginning on Friday, Oct. 20, and will be open until Oct. 27 at the Mendocino College Lowery Student Center.

The festivities promise to delight, featuring an array of food vendors, Aztec and Folkloric dancers, hot chocolate and pan dulce, piñatas, and engaging children’s arts & crafts, live music and so much more.

Jackeline Orozco, HEP Program Manager, reflecting on the event, shares her pride in its significance, stating, “I feel proud that we can have this event at Mendocino College because it is a way to share with the community about our culture and our roots. This is a diverse community, and everyone is welcome.”

Juvenal Vasquez, Outreach Specialist, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing, “This is an event that brings culture and tradition to our community.”

Día de Los Muertos or “Day of the Dead” is a holiday widely observed in Mexico and the American Southwest which pays homage to family and friends who have passed away. Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, with different rituals and events associated with each day. It is believed that deceased friends and family return to the land of the living during this time. Families honor their relatives by creating ofrendas decorated with skull imagery, tissue-paper designs, marigolds, family photos and their favorite foods.

“It is very special to be able to share our cultural traditions with the Lake and Mendocino County community. Mendocino College is a place that embraces cultural expression,” emphasized Leticia Trejo, one of the Día de los Muertos committee members.

Mendocino College’s Ukiah campus is located at 1000 Hensley Creek Road. If you wish to reserve a space for creating an altar or seek further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Yolanda Vazquez at 707-468-3105 or Juvenal Vasquez at 707-468-3115. This is an inclusive and free event where everyone is welcome.