Community organizers and organizations come together to keep the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Oceanside. Spearheaded by many and headed by Friends of Oceanside Dia de los Muertos and Chema and Manuel Navarro of Por Siempre Car Club, the festival will continue this tradition and moved back to Downtown Oceanside in 2021, where it began. This year it will be its 22nd celebratory year.
As in past years, the festival will continue with its many community partners to continue the largest attended Dia de los Muertos Festival again at Downtown Oceanside. This vibrant event will showcase over 25 altars, traditional dancers, Classic Car Show, a shopping Mercado, a family friendly event.
Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition dating back 3,000 years that honors the memories of the deceased. “It’s a celebration of the lives of loved ones who aren’t here anymore” states the Board President, Cathy Nykiel. At the heart of the festival was the use of more than 30,000 marigolds, the traditional Dia de los Muertos flower, grown especially for the day by Oceanside’s own, Mellano Flower Company since the festival’s inception.
“The pungent aroma of the flowers rises up to heaven just like the spirits of the dead do,” said Fran Connell, an Oceanside resident who has volunteered at the celebration for the past three years. The altar, full of “ofrendas”, is the focal point to observing the Día de los Muertos. In Mexico it is built at home and/or at the grave side. Entire families construct altars as an annual commitment.
Individuals wishing to participate in car show side of the event may contact Manuel Navarro from Por Siempre. Information is available on the event website: http://www.friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org/ .
22nd Annual Dia de los Muertos in Downtown Oceanside will be held October 22, 2023. MORE Website information and registration information at:
Por Siempre Car Club | OceansideDia (friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org)
