Ofrendas and offering community: Celebrating Dia de los Muertos from East County to Estacada

Published 7:00 am Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Though commonly misunderstood as the Mexican equivalent of Halloween, Día de los Muertos is a holiday of its own great significance – and it’s gaining recognition locally.

Una historia

Día de los Muertos, celebrated on Oct. 31-Nov. 2, marks a time when in the Mexican culture it is believed that the veil separating the spiritual world and the real world dissipates temporarily. During this time, people celebrate the loved ones that have gone before them by building ofrendas (alters) with photos, favorite foods and flowers in their homes to welcome their loved ones’ spirits.

In modern times, people also commonly decorate sugar skulls in celebration of this time.

Haciendo historia

For Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, Día de los Muertos is something he can’t wait for more people to experience and enjoy.

“Folks who have never been can expect a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere filled with music, dance, food and traditions,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn, enjoy new experiences, and join in the spirit of togetherness that events like this bring to Gresham.”

Unlike the somber tones of other traditions related to death, Day of the Dead is all about joy, color and celebration. Ofrendas (altars) are built in homes and public spaces, decorated with photos, marigolds, candles and the favorite foods of deceased loved ones.

Vibrant sugar skulls, calacas (skeletal figures), and traditional foods like pan de muerto (bla), reflect the blend of indigenous beliefs and Spanish influences.

“It is a way to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have passed, keeping their memory alive in a beautiful, festive manner,” Ruiz said.

And for the first time ever, the city of Gresham is getting in on the fun, with a public Dia de los Muertos celebration.

From 4-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, in the Gresham Arts Plaza, 401 N.E. Second St., there will be music, crafts, offerings from local food carts, and more opportunities to learn about the day. The performances includes: Banda Perla de Michoacán; Danza Azteca; and Ballet Folklórico – Corazones Alegres y México en la Sangre.

There is another Day of the Dead celebration happening just up the road. At 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, Forest Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum, 400 S.W. Walters Dr., will have its own gathering, with food, face painting, folklore dancers, a mariachi band and more.

“Gresham hosting this type of event is incredibly exciting,” Ruiz said.

This continues the community’s burgeoning trend of embracing new types of gatherings honoring a bevy of cultures and traditions — from the long-standing Christmas Tree Lighting to more recently the Giant Menorah Lighting for Chanukah.

“It shows the community’s dedication to celebrating culture, fostering connection and highlighting the diversity that makes the area so special,” Ruiz said.

Diversión educative

While the larger celebration of Día de los Muertos may be new in Gresham, the Sandy Public Library has been hosting an event in honor of the Day of the Dead since 2015.

“I started it because back then we wanted to start hosting more programming for the Hispanic community and this was something said they wanted,” said library assistant Katie Murphy.

Murphy always offers a variety of activities in her event, this year “changing it up” so that all of the crafts tied into each other to culminate in a little shoebox ofrenda.

The Sandy library had its Día de los Muertos event a bit early this year, inviting community members of all ages to the community room on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Aside from the crafts, attendees also could play Loteria, enjoy Mexican sweet breads and hot chocolate and choose free books to take home.

“I do really look forward to this event,” Murphy said. “I love the whole spirit of the celebration of Day of the Dead. I feel like it does two things: it celebrates those who came before us in a positive way, and it takes the scariness out of death.”

Honrando a los muertos

The Estacada Library staff have likewise been hosting a Día de los Muertos event for several years; they will celebrate for the seventh year from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, in the Flora Community Room of the Estacada Library, 825 N.W. Wade St.

To recognize Día de los Muertos and celebrate the loved ones who went before us, the Estacada event will feature face painting for children, crafts and sugar skull decorating. There will also be door prizes and free books for children to take home, as well as access to representatives from community resources.

This year’s event is also made possible by multiple sponsors and community partners, including Todos Juntos, Antfarm’s Nuevo Futuro, the Migrant Education Program, Orchid Health, the Estacada Area Food Bank, Children’s Center, the Early Learning Hub of Clackamas County, Clackamas Volunteers in Medicine and the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace.

“Events like Día de los Muertos welcome Spanish-speaking community members to the library,” youth services librarian and event organizer Deborah VanDetta said. “We hope that everyone will enjoy sharing in and learning about Hispanic culture and traditions. Multicultural events are an important part of the library’s mission to promote lifelong learning and cultural diversity. It’s wonderful to see new and returning families each year.”

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/4p9xnc7c.