Day of the Dead Celebrates 5th Year at the Old Mission San Luis Rey
The Old Mission San Luis Rey presents the 13th Annual Dia de los Muertos on Sunday, October 29th from 10 am - 5 pm sponsored by Tri-City Medical Center.
This is the fifth year that the “King of the Missions” will host and present this sacred Mexican celebration and the 13th year it has been hosted in Oceanside. Dia de los Muertos has been celebrated for thousands of years by Mexican and Indigenous people to honor and remember relatives and loved ones who have passed away through the four elements of earth, wind, fire and water.
Celebrations at this historic location include gathering at the cemetery to clean and decorate graves of loved ones. The public is invited to create mini tributes to relatives with a chalk cemetery and marigolds.
Traditional altars, or ofrendas, built by families from marigolds supplied by Mellano & Company, surround the Mission and are decorated with sugar skulls and favorite foods and drinks. Altars include all four elements of earth, wind, fire and water and reflect culture differences of Mexican and Indigenous groups. Any group or family may build an altar and applications are available online. Included with traditional altars, the Por Siempre Car Club will have altars erected in the trunks of their cars.
Over 90 vendors will have themed arts, crafts, jewelry, and wares celebrating Dia de los Muertos. Delicious food vendors will have everything from pupusas, tacos, ice cream and Pan de Muertos available for purchase.
Live entertainment throughout the day includes music and dances native to the Oaxaca and Michoacán cultures located on the main stage and within the Mission courtyards.
Attendees are encouraged to dress up and paint their faces in the spirit of Dia de los Muertos as they enjoy this festive cultural event.This year we are adding a fun Catrina Contest for adults, teens and children. We will crown a queen and two princesses!
Vendor, altar, and sponsorship opportunities are still available. All applications can be found at www.MSLRDiaDeLosMuertos.com
Attendance is estimated at 35,000 people and is free and open to the public. Onsite parking is $5 per vehicle. Free shuttle buses will be provided by the Mission with a stop at El Camino High School on Rancho del Oro. The Old Mission San Luis Rey is located at 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside, California.
Visit the event website for more information. Questions can be directed to Maureen Sullivan at 760-757-3651 or to event coordinator Briana Wagner at 760-473-4516.
