Traditional music, food, performances, demonstrations, art, crafts, and children’s activities are just some of the anticipated activities scheduled for the museum’s annual Día de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead celebration on Saturday, November 3, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Opening the day of the event and continuing until November 18 is the exhibit of altars that pay respect to departed loved ones.

In preparation for this festive celebration, museum special events and programming officer Melissa Tijerina coordinates an event to educate visitors of the true meaning behind Día de los Muertos. “Día de los Muertos is a significant and well respected holiday.  It celebrates the lives of deceased loved ones, by keeping their memories alive.”  This year’s Grand Lobby altar pays homage to the founder of the world-renowned Ballet Folklórico de México, Amalia Hernández Navarro. The altar will be created by Cati Gomez, who assisted Raul Galvan in directing many of the traditional folklórico dances at museum events. 

Along with the altar exhibit children and adults alike enjoy having their faces painted to look like authentic, festive calaveras or skulls, create traditional paper marigold flowers and even decorate sugar skulls.  Mariachi music and traditional Mexican dance performances are some of the family-friendly entertainment the community will enjoy.  New to this year’s event is the addition of a large outdoor space to comfortably accommodate more people as they enjoy traditional and colorful performances. 

The all-day event is included in regular museum admission.  FRIENDS of the museum are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDships.  For information on the event or becoming a FRIEND of the museum, call 956.383.6911 or visit www.mosthistory.org.  The Museum of South Texas History is located at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square in downtown Edinburg.