Día de los Muertos isn’t the same as Halloween, it’s a beautiful cultural celebration centered around food, music and dancing.
The joyous celebration has become more mainstream due to its inclusion in modern films including “Coco,” “Spectre” and even “Superman.”
Plaza Antigua will host a one-day festival next Saturday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at its Waynesboro restaurant with cultural learning, authentic food and live entertainment.
Most Americans recognize the colorful sugar candy skulls and their ties to the Day of the Dead; the holiday itself has roots dating back 3,000 years. The day is traditionally a time for family and friends to gather and pay respect for friends and family members who have died, celebrating death as a natural part of the human cycle.
“For Mexicans, this is a celebration of the life of the person,” Yadira Carrillo of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce told Richmond Magazine. “It’s a day where you remember what they meant to you, to keep your memory alive, and also to pass stories to the little ones about people that have passed away. It’s just a celebration of their lives.”
The Dia De Los Muertos Celebracion in Waynesboro will include folklore dancers, prizes for Catrina dress up, an Ofrenda (altar) competition, artisans, food vendors and more.
The event will feature live music and dancing throughout the day, and it will close with the Harrisonburg-based 10 / 4 Affirmativo.
Plaza Antigua owner Chris Ornelas said they are especially excited to welcome David Amoroso, a talented papel picado artist, who will create traditional papel picado on site and share the cultural story behind the art.
Proceeds benefit the Virginia Hispanic Foundation.
For more information, contact the restaurant at [email protected]
Day of the Dead honored in Disney’s “Coco”
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Crystal Graham
