Lakeside communities will pay tribute to the dearly departed with traditional Dia de Muertos activities and a variety of public happenings that get underway this weekend, continuing through November 2, All Souls Day.
Each town and village observes the holiday period in a distinctive way, highlighted by customary practices and the special events organized by educational, cultural and government institutions.
Local cemeteries have already come to life as families converge to clean and repair burial plots, finally decorating each tomb with coronas (memorial wreaths), candles, plants and floral arrangements.
Throngs of visitors will turn up on November 1 to remember angelitos – the “little angels” who died in infancy – and again on November 2, the date dedicated to all those who died at a riper age. Folks hang out around the gravesites sharing food, drink, music and memories to honor of the cherished muertitos. As graveyards turn into focal points of activity, vendors set up for business just outside the gates to hawk refreshments and essential accoutrements for the occasion.
CHAPALA
The Chapala government and the Preparatoria Regional are co-sponsoring events encompassing the Festival de Vida y Muerte, running from October 30 through November 2.
Sunday’s program includes the start of the second Dia de Muertos painting contest, 10 a.m., at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia. Participating artists will work on site daily through November 2 to complete their canvases. Live music will performed at the Plazoleta de la Hermandad opposite City Hall from 4:30 p.m., followed by Tenebra, a spooky circus show, 8 p.m.
On Monday, prepa students will recite original calavera satirical death poems at the Malecon, 6 p.m., prior to a concert by the University of Guadalajara Orquesta Sinfónica.
Avenida Madero will be closed to traffic all day November 2 while students mount and display model gravesites of historical figures outside the San Francisco Church and traditional memorial altars displayed on both sides of the street. After dark, visitors can also take in a funeral parade for the death of corruption, a living Catrina competition, a theater performance and a concert by Jalisco’s State Choir.
Neighbors of Chapala’s Calle 5 de Mayo will also repeat their traditional exhibition of Day of the Dead altars in an all-day affair November 2, peaking after sundown.
SANTA CRUZ DE LA SOLEDAD
A mini Dia de Muertos festival will be held at the Santa Cruz plaza on November 1, with Altar de Muertos and Catrinas contests starting at 4 p.m., and ranchero singer Lola La Tequilera appearing at 8:30 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO TLAYACAPAN
Instituto Loyola, next door to Lakeside Little Theatre, hosts its annual Humanities Fair, Tuesday, November 1, 6:30 p.m., featuring a simulated graveyard dedicated to Latin American composers and their music among other activities.
The village cemetery across the road comes to life early November 2 with a live mariachi band performing from 8 to 10 a.m.
Festivities continue at the plaza after 6 p.m.
AJIJIC
Activities in Ajijic begin November 2 at 10 a.m. with the elaboration of colored sawdust carpets along Calle Parroquia adjacent to the plaza. Cultural programs will run non-stop at the Centro Cultural and the vicinity of the plaza from 5 p.m., with music, art, dance altar displays and the inauguration of the Muro de Muertos across from the San Andrés Church.
IXTLAHUACAN DE LOS MEMBRILLOS
Ixtlahuacan has put together a huge program for its second annual Festival de Dia de Muertos. A display of memorial altars will be mounted along the main avenue from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1 remaining through the following night. Wednesday’s program begins with a contest of live Catrina impersonators starting at 4 p.m., continuing with a Day of the Dead parade around town and theatrical and musical performances at the plaza throughout the afternoon and evening.
Similar goings-on will occur in virtually all other lakeshore towns. Ask around at local shops, government offices and neighbors’ households for details.