Healdsburg’s annual Dia de Muertos festival returns to the Plaza on Sunday, Oct. 30, complete with marigold-adorned altars, a classic car show and live musical performances.
Cosponsored by Corazón Healdsburg and the City of Healdsburg, the day-long celebration connects many of the region’s large Latino population with their Mexican roots, where the “Day of the Dead” is recognized by death-inspired costumes, candies and more. Though Dia de Muertos is traditionally celebrated on Nov. 1 (All Saints Day) and Nov. 2 (All Souls Day), the Anglo observance of Halloween (the night of Oct. 31) has helped extend the holiday over several days every year.
“This event is incredibly special for us and the whole community,” said Marcy Flores, Corazón Healdsburg’s interim executive director. “It’s an opportunity for us all to honor and remember our ancestors, and the chance for us to connect as a community.”
Corazón Healdsburg is a nonprofit organization working to create a more just and compassionate community in northern Sonoma County. The organization opened its doors to the community with its first Día de Muertos event in 2016, and the event has been a Healdsburg tradition ever since.
This year’s Día de Muertos event will feature an opening ceremony at noon, led by Danza Azteca and with performances by the Luther Burbank Center’s Mariachi Ensemble Cantares de Mi Tierra, El Travieso y Su Dinamita and Los Cadetes de Linares de Rigoberto Cantu.
Corazón Healdsburg board member Jorge Flores is partnering with several local car clubs to showcase their classic cars along Matheson Street and to host a “trunk-or-treat” with sweets for kids, from 2 to 5pm.
Throughout the afternoon, there will be activities for children, including mask and puppet making with the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, soccer activities with the Healdsburg Youth Soccer Association, jumbo Connect Four and other games with the Healdsburg Community Services Team, face painting, temporary tattoos and more.
Food will be available for purchase from local vendors, including Lucha Sabina, La Churroteka, Black Piglet, The Real Chamoy and Rose’s Burgers & Brats.
“Every year, the Día de Muertos event underscores how Healdsburg’s diversity makes us richer as a community,” said Mark Themig, director of community services for the City of Healdsburg. “We look forward to this special day all year long and can’t wait to see our community come together again this Sunday.”
