The Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (KCHCC) held its 10th annual Day of the Dead, or Día de Los Muertos, festival at the Kern County Museum on Nov. 6.

The festival had several Mexican commodities including traditional foods, dancing, music, and merchandise.

Día de Los Muertos is a popular Mexican tradition that honors, celebrates, and remembers the dead. 

Family and friends of the deceased form special gatherings and set up altars decorated with the loved one’s favorite foods, drinks, and belongings.

Jay Tamsi, President and CEO of KCHCC, talked about the celebration in a press release.

“This cultural tradition transcends communities and allows people to reflect on those they have loved the most,” Tamsi wrote.

“We decided to organize this event so our community had an outlet to express their love for those who have played an important role in their lives. Each year it grows and grows. It’s really about everyone coming together and remembering the lives of many, but not in sadness, but in joy and happiness.”

Several sponsors who presented and sponsored the event included Jim Burke, Dignity Health Mercy and Memorial Hospitals, Kern Federal Credit Union, Jarritos, Chevron, Valley Republic Bank, Kaiser Permanente, La Costa Mariscos and many more. 

Media sponsors included KGET 17, 96.9 La Caliente, El Popular, 92.5 La Campesina, 103.9 Beat, Hot 94.1, and Noticiero Telemundo.

Elia Armendariz, Valley Republic Bank representative, decided to come to the event to contribute to the local community and represent as a member of the KCHCC.

Armendariz explained what the day of the dead meant to her.

“To me, it’s a thing to remember all my loved ones,” Armendariz said.

Armendariz added that it was great being tat the event to be part of the community and being involved and that it was deeply meaningful to her.

The festival featured live performances. 

One of the groups, Ballet Folklorico Huaztecalli performed to the popular “Son de Mi Negra.” 

One of the popular sights were the family altars. 

Many of the altars were decorated with candles, flowers and photos of the family loved ones who had died.

Denise Negrete, an attendee, said she and her family have been to the festival in past years and have set up altars to bring out memories.

Negrete’s altar featured the favorite food of her deceased relatives.

“We were told to bring out what they like to eat, their favorite food…my aunt, she used to like the fried shrimp from rice bowl, the hot wings from KFC…We always make the tamales, the pan dulce, chicharrones and it’s just something they used to like to eat,” she said.

Rick Waldron, an attendant, said he decided to make an altar “just [to] keep the memories going,” he said.

One of the four family altars were dedicated to two of his brothers (Chris and Kevin) who recently died.

“I have one brother that passed away two years ago so we decided to make one altar for him; unfortunately, we had to do it again this year for my little brother,” he said.