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People of all cultures honor the memories of their ancestors. In many parts of Mexico, South America, and the United States, El Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a time to honor and celebrate deceased loved ones. Community participation is an essential part of this holiday that is full of life, reflection, food, family, and fun.

Programs & Events for Day of the Dead

Colorado’s largest Day of the Dead celebration!

Longmont’s annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration is the Longmont Museum’s signature event and the largest Day of the Dead celebration in Colorado, attracting more than 5,000 people to the exhibit, family event, and related programming. Celebrating our 11th anniversary this year, the celebration demonstrates how a diverse community can come together to share a common desire – to honor our ancestors and keep their memories alive.

La Ofrenda de los Muertos: Honoring Days of the Dead Exhibition

October 1 to November 6, 2011
Highlights for this year’s exhibit include community altars, Day of the Dead artwork by Arizona guest artist Zarco Guerrero and Colorado guest artist Laurie Zuckerman, new hands-on interactives, and new photographs. Please bring a photo of your loved one to add to the Community Tree of Life. Free admission.

Community Altars
A key part of the celebration is preparing an altar, where photographs, favorite foods, and personal mementos of deceased loved ones are arranged. Altars often are displayed in the home and at the cemetery. Skeletons and skulls made of sugar, bread, ceramics or papier-mâché provide final touches. Neither expense nor effort is spared.

Consulate General of Mexico’s Día de los Muertos Celebration
October 20 through November 4
Drop by the Consulate General of Mexico in Denver and the Mexican Cultural Center to visit their display of altars presented by Adrian Marban. Public opening reception, October 20, 5:30 pm. Free Admission. 5350 Leetsdale Drive Ste 200, Denver, CO 80246, 303-331-1110.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Masks! with Zarco and Carmen Guerrero
Saturday, October 1, 10:30 am – noon. Ages: All, families welcome
Masks have been used for thousands of years by people throughout the world. They have the power to conceal or reveal and can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Join award-winning mask maker Zarco Guerrero as he gives a mini presentation and masked performance, then create your own paper mask using Zarco-inspired patterns. The program will be presented in English and Spanish. Space is limited. Free admission.

Día de los Muertos Storytelling Festival with Zarco and Carmen Guerrero
Sunday, October 2, 2 – 3 pm. Ages: All, families welcome
Wearing masks he created, Zarco Guerrero presents an entertaining storytelling theatrical performance about Día de Los Muertos. Guerrero impersonates different members of the community who add their stories and special objects to the ofrenda – a tradition honoring our ancestors and those who have recently passed. Special live music by Carmen Guerrero. The program will be presented in English and Spanish. Space is limited. Free admission.

Altarmaker-in-Residence
October 1, 2, and 7, during Museum hours
Drop by the Museum to meet and chat with artist Laurie Beth Zuckerman as she creates her “Homage to Old Mexico” altar in the gallery.
Spanish Interpretation Available:
9:30-10:30 am and 1-2 pm
1-2 pm and 3-4 pm
10:30-11:30 am and 2-3 pm

Homage to Old Mexico: A tribute to 20th-century traditional folk arts
Wednesday October 12, 7 pm.
Join Laurie Beth Zuckerman as she shares her striking images of contemporary Diá de los Muertos ofrendas and cemetery altars from Colonial Mexico. Zuckerman will talk about how the culture inspires her Mexican-themed home altars and installations exhibited throughout Northern Colorado and the U.S. This lively presentation will be followed be a gallery tour of Zuckerman’s ofrenda installation “Homage to Old Mexico." $5, Free for Friends members

Volunteer Sugar Skull Making Day
Sunday, October 16, 2011, 1 to 4 pm
Help make sugar skulls for the October 29 event! Groups of 8 or more, please call ahead – 303-651-8723.
Free admission

Calacas! Skeletons! at the Longmont Public Library, 409 4th Avenue , 303-651-8477
Monday, October 24, 6-8 pm
Ages 3 and up.

Make and decorate your own paper calaca (skeleton) in this popular program! Free admission.

Día de los Muertos Family Celebration
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 10 am to 5 pm
Live entertainment, sugar skull decorating, traditional food, community altars, paper flower making, Día de los Muertos tattoos, and Lady Catrina with her Catrin. Come dressed in your finest “calaca” (skeleton) apparel! Free admission.

Courtyard Entertainment
11:00-11:45 Alternatives for Youth Folklorico Dancers
Noon-1:00 Mariachi Vasquez with special performance by Colorado Mestizo Dancers
1:15-2:00 Colorado Mestizo Dancers
2:15-3:00 Peru-Forever Dancers
3:15-3:45 Coro San Juan and Canciones de Mi Tierra Singers
4:00-4:30 Bailes de Mi Tierra Folklorico

Brought to you by/Patrocinado por: Alternatives for Youth, Inc.; Boulder County Community Action Programs; Casa de la Esperanza; Consulado General de México en Denver; El Comité de Longmont; El Fogon Market; Taqueria El Fogoncito; La Panda Bakery; Las Americas Tortilleria; Longmont Area Visitors Association; Longmont Dairy Farm, Inc.; Longmont Sister Cities Association; Mary Vigil Family; Mexican Cultural Center, Denver; Niwot Market; Ollin Farms; Organic Valley; Panaderia y Neveria Guanajuato; Sonrisas By Maria; Taqueria y Panaderia; Sabor a Mexico; Tortilla de la Frontera; Tortilla Laguna; Tortilleria y Taqueria El Rey; and these City of Longmont Divisions: Children and Youth Resources, Community and Neighborhood Resources, Library, Museum, Parks and Forestry, and Senior Services.