Got plans? Altar them.
Lincoln City’s Driftwood Public Library will be alive with music, colors and the aromas of delicious food when its Dia de Muertos Celebracion returns on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Originating in Mexico, this joyful holiday encourages people to gather together to remember friends and family members who have died.
“After three years, we’re very excited for the return of our Dia de Muertos Celebracion in the library,” said Outreach Services Co-ordinator Star Kahn. “This year’s event will feature a community ofrenda, which was built for us by members of our Latino community. It’s beautiful! We invite any member of our community who would to remember their loved ones to come in and add a picture to the ofrenda or send it to us and we’ll print it out and add it.”
Ofrendas are an essential part of the Day of the Dead celebrations, set up each year to remember and honor ancestors. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish.
The ofrenda is set on a table, covered with a fine tablecloth and topped with papel picado, or cut tissue paper. Pictures of lost loved ones are displayed atop the ofrenda, alongside candles, incense and items that bring back memories of the deceased. Loved ones’ favorite foods are also often placed on the ofrenda, from sugar skulls to tamales to Pan de Muertos, a semi-sweet bread baked in the shape of bones and dusted with sugar
The library’s celebration will also feature music by VDJ Osorio, a photo booth, face painting, craft stations, a community meal with Pan de Muertos and, performing for the first time ever, Lincoln City’s own Ballet Folklorico group, Conexion Fenix.
Conexion Fenix is a new organization that aims to provide educational opportunities and resources to Latino families in the Lincoln City and Otis areas. Other event sponsors include Friends of Driftwood Library, Oregon State University Extension Services, Oregon Coast Community College, Kenny’s IGA. La Guadulapana, restaurants La Roca and Mazatlan, Lincoln City Parks & Recreation Department, Oceana Family Literacy and Family Promise.
The Dia de Muertos Celebracion will run from 5 to 8 pm at the library, located on the second floor of the Lincoln Square Civic Complex at 801 SW Hwy. 101. For more information, call 541-996-2277.