Dia de los Muertos

Organized by gardeners Elliot Gonzales and Ivan Deavy, a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Artfest event was held at the Wild Oats Garden on Nov. 2 and featured traditional food, altars, crafts and music related to the Mexican holiday.


The Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Association co-sponsored the event and built a traditional ofrenda, or altar, to honor dearly departed friends and family members. Ofrendas typically showcase photos, favorite food and drinks, candles, decorated skulls made of sugar, marigolds and other items. According to folklore, if you taste the food or drink at the altar the next day, it would have no flavor, as the spirits of the deceased partake of the offerings overnight.


Attendees also had the opportunity to taste tamales and Mexican hot chocolate, to create traditional paper crafts, to enjoy works of art and music provided by members of the community and to take a guided tour of the garden.


LBO hopes to make Dia de los Muertos an annual garden event.