MISSOULA — On Thursday night Missoula is bringing back its Festival of the Dead celebration which will start at the four X’s and go all the way down to Caras Park and anyone who attends this celebration will get to learn about the traditions this day has to offer.
“It is an event that is inspired by, or similar, to Dia de los Muertos but it’s a multicultural event so we’re going to have a lot of other groups represented… and we are going to just have an opportunity to remember and celebrate the people in our lives that we have lost, " said Tiffany Williams, Festival of the Dead organizer.
The Festival of the Dead is an opportunity to honor loved ones who have passed and acknowledge grief. The Dia de los Muertos will showcase the cultural practices of an authentic celebration.
“We wanted to create a more traditional celebration, what you will experience in Mexico or in Latin America," Mynor Alejandro Veliz, Confluence Center CFO said.
One of the traditions that will be on display during the celebration is an altar that was built by a local family and people from the Confluence Center.
"In our culture, it’s the place we are creating for the souls to find their way, so we’re creating, we’re putting up pictures we’re putting out food for them to know we’re waiting for you this is our spot and each element that you will see in the altar has a significance to us," said Veliz.
Festival of the Dead Thursday events:
● Dia de los Muertos Face Painting: From 3-6 p.m. free face painting at Confluence Center, 119 W. Main St. This is a fun activity for kids and grownups alike.
● Procession: 6 p.m. gathering at Circle Square, North end of Higgins Ave. SnYelMn drum group kicks off this year’s culminating event at 6 p.m. and the procession will start at 7 p.m. and will travel down Higgins Ave. to Caras Park where there will be more performances, including the UM African Dance Class
● Post Procession Detour: In the alley behind Confluence Center, organizers will have Latin music, a traditional Mexican Dia de los Muertos dance, and nonalcoholic drinks to keep the spirits high.
