Residents of Oakland and people from different regions celebrated the annual Dia de los Muertos festival on October 26 in Fruitvale, CA.

Hector Rangel, director of Libros, Arte y Cultura, conducted workshops to help families prepare their altars for the festival. “The intention is to teach 10 families folk artwork that pertain to the Day of the Dead celebration.”

The workshops taught families how to make traditional aspects for their altars, such as sugar skulls and pottery. Peter Perez, art coordinator, said, “This Day of the Dead is so rich in tradition and culture. This is like, becoming very big—every year it gets a little bigger. The importance of it is to put a new face on the Latino cultures.”

Many of the altars were adorned with photos of those who died and items that the deceased liked, such as food, drinks, and cigarettes. “Whatever that person liked, you put on the altar so they can enjoy having that again,” Perez said.

Many believe that the Dia de los Muertos festival is important because it gives a family the opportunity to connect to the deceased. Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st, marking All Saints Day, and November 2nd for All Souls Day.

The festival ran from International Boulevard and Fruitvale Avenue to 39th and Fruitvale Avenues. Vendors and exhibitors started setting up at 7 a.m., but the festival didn’t start until 10 a.m.

The sound of the drums encouraged patrons to come and watch dancers perform Aztec dances as well as look at the different alters. The performers wore feathered headdresses and some had their faces painted like skulls to represent the dead.

There were many altars being presented to the public. Some were in memory of Hispanic heroes like Frieda Kahlo, others were in memory of loved ones, and one was in remembrance of the youth who died in Oakland.

“It’s one of the great cultural events in Oakland,” said Oakland City Councilmember Jean Quan, “This is the largest Day of the Dead single-day event in the United States.”