The city of Long Beach has named Mayor Rex Richardson and First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas as two of the grand marshals for the 2023 Día de los Muertos Grand Parade on Saturday, November 4. Other grand marshals, along with community and civic leaders, are also set to take on leadership roles in this festivity, according to the Long Beach government press release.
The parade route starts at Pine Avenue and East Third Street, before heading down Pine Avenue to East Shoreline Drive. The event will showcase performances, floats, and participation from different city departments and community partners. It aims to reflect the rich traditions and history associated with the yearly Day of the Dead commemoration, vital to Hispanic and Latino cultures.
Other grand marshals, including Jaime Jarrin the Ecuadorian-born American sportscaster, widely recognized as the Spanish-language voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame, were also named, as per the Long Beach government announcement. The parade will also feature the Long Beach Latino Employees Organization, Gaby Hernandez, the Executive Director for ÓRALE: Organizing Rooted in Abolition Liberation and Empowerment, and Esteven Gamez, former President for the Long Beach LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.
Post-parade, attendees can head to the Arte y Ofrendas Festival at Rainbow Lagoon that will run from noon until 10 p.m. The event promises to offer a wide range of family-friendly activities and refreshments. For those who cannot attend in person, ABC7 Los Angeles will provide online and on-air coverage, broadcasting on November 5, the press release stated.
Support from various organizations in the city of Long Beach like the Port of Long Beach, Downtown Long Beach Alliance, Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Long Beach City College, to name a few, make this important cultural event possible, reflecting the community's dedication to inclusivity and celebrating cultural traditions.
The city will also host several activities throughout the day, from professional development workshops to social events to fostering connections. Initiatives by the Long Beach Latino Employees Organization and the Long Beach LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce aim at weaving the celebration into local and international communities, providing an open platform for attendees to share ideas and broaden their cultural understanding.
