On Sunday, Nov. 3, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (KCHCC) hosted a Dia de los Muertos Festival at the Kern County Fairgrounds in honor of two-day long holiday that celebrates uniting the living and the dead.
The festival featured traditional Aztec dancing, live music, authentic Mexican cuisine, and live performances that showcased the vibrance and beauty of Mexican culture.
Ofrendas were beautifully showcased throughout the festival and were lit with bright candles that lit the area. An ofrenda is an at home alter that is used to celebrate loved ones who have passed away. They are used to acknowledge the soul lives beyond the body and celebrate remembrance.
Families set up their own ofrendas in which they used to honor their loved ones, each one decorated beautifully with offerings ranging from pan de Muerto, a sweet bread that symbolizes the circle of life because of its circular shape, to their favorite foods and items.
Many gathered around and you could feel the warmth as families sat with their own ofrenda, surrounded by family from past and present as they celebrated the remembrance of their loved ones.
Activities were spread around the fairground grass field with a large stage for live performances, tents where local vendors sold unique cultural gifts, food and beverage vendors and free activities for younger children.
The large stage featured live music from Mariachi San Marcos and Banda La Especial as well as lively performances by Ballet Folklorio Huaztecalli and traditional Aztec dancing and blessing by Mi Tierra.
Food trucks and tents were scattered around the festival grounds with traditional Mexican cuisine and sweet treats. A variety of foods like pozole, taquitos, and tacos were sold along with churros and agua frescas for a sweet treat.
Attendees were also encouraged to take part in the costume contest that was themed towards El Cartrin and La Catrina to show the beauty of Dias De Los Muertos. Women, children, and men walked around with beautiful traditional dresses and bright lively candy skull face paint that showed the true beauty of Mexican culture.
Families danced in front of the stage with smiles on their faces, the festival itself celebrated remembrance and shared the joy of family coming together while giving a sense of community.