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The city of Pleasanton’s Library and Recreation Department is inviting the community to a Día de Los Muertos celebration this weekend at the public library on Old Bernal Avenue.
Día de Los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday where people build altars and make offerings, also known as ofrendas, for their deceased ancestors and loved ones to enjoy from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.
The Día de Los Muertos Celebration will be the second event in the city’s new Cultural Celebration Series, which was kicked off with the Oct. 7 Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Alviso Adobe Community Park, which was in observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
“These celebrations serve as an opportunity for the community to come together, learn and enjoy unforgettable experiences,” said Nick Binzoni, community and public relations coordinator for the Library and Recreation Department. “Individuals of all ages and backgrounds are invited to celebrate our cultural communities through arts, music and learning.”
The origin of Día de Los Muertos comes from a mix of meso-American ritual, European religion and Spanish culture but the basic principle is that on Oct. 31, the gates of heaven open up so that those who passed away can spend a day with their families who are alive on earth.
It is said that the spirits of children who died come back on Nov. 1 while the adults come back on Nov. 2. Families lay out items such as toys, food and anything else that those ancestors specifically enjoyed while they were alive so that they can find their way back home.
In Mexico, neighbors gather in local cemeteries to share food, music and fun with the community. In Pleasanton this weekend, residents will be able to celebrate both the living and the dead at the library downtown.
“The city seeks to honor these traditions through the exhibition of ofrendas; and in seeking the community’s participation, it hopes to foster greater understanding and appreciation for the holiday,” Binzoni said.
The event on Saturday (Nov. 4) will take place from 1-3 p.m. and will feature live entertainment from the Pleasanton Unified School District Mariachi Estrella del Pueblo Baile Folklórico as well as family-friendly activities, crafts and light refreshments.
Before the event kicks off with a welcome and storytime at 1 p.m., residents will also be able to view ofrendas on display for a special exhibit created by members of the community. The ofrendas, which were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis due last week, will be on display at the library during the first weekend of November.
Other upcoming events this year that are part of the Cultural Celebration Series include a Diwali Celebration — also known as the Festival of Lights — that will take place on Sunday (Nov. 5) and a celebration for Native American Heritage Month at the Alviso Adobe Community Park on Nov. 18.
Next year, the Library and Recreation Department will also be planning events to celebrate Lunar New Year, Black History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month, and Juneteenth.
“Each observance will feature family activities and performances that honor the beauty of our city’s cultural diversity,” Binzoni said.
