“As we celebrate life, we celebrate death,” Rosalva Avalos told Hoodline, as she reflected on celebrating lost loved ones during Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in the Mission District over the weekend. Avalos’ family is originally from Michoacan, Mexico, and she attends the event every year when it’s celebrated on November 2nd. “This is a way to bring them back to life,” she continued, “and enjoy [that] their spirit is with us.”

Each year the community marks the occasion with the Festival of the Altars and an evening procession through the neighborhood. While the tradition of Día de los Muertos originates in Mexico, the idea of honoring lost loved ones resonates throughout other Latino and non-Latino communities, as evidenced by the growing number of people who visit the park and join the procession every year.

Pan Dulce (sweet bread) and Pan de Muerto (Day of the Dead bread) adorn an altar at Potrero Del Sol Park. | Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline

 

This was the 32nd annual Festival of the Altars. The event, which takes place in Potrero del Sol Park, is hosted by the Marigold Project. The community-based organization was founded in 1992 and is “deeply rooted in the rich cultural traditions of the Indigenous/Latinx community” in the Mission District. 

The community-built altars, or ofrendas, are created to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Community members can reserve a space to create their own ofrenda or can participate by bringing flowers, photos, or mementos to place on some of the community altars.

Azteca dancers lead the procession as they make their way down 24th Street. | Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline

 

The procession has been running for a few years longer and is organized by El Colectivo del Rescate Cultural (The Culture Rescue Collective). This year was the 43rd annual procession, which commemorates lost loved ones in the community and beyond. Azteca dancers lead the way, stopping at the main corners of the route to perform blessings and ritual dances to each cardinal direction. Members of the public are also invited to join the gathering and honor their loved ones as they follow behind the dancers on the walk through the neighborhood. 

Here are more photos from the Day of the Dead celebrations: 

Ivon Cruz in her “Catrina” outfit. La Catrina is a smiling female skeleton in fancy attire, topped with an elegant hat. Famously depicted by Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada, she personifies death, but it is with a sense of humor and understanding. She is a reminder that life is part of a cycle, with death being just another step in that.

 

Art pieces by Bruce Hallman adorn the tree where visitors were able to leave notes to loved ones who have passed away.

 

A dancer holds an ayoyote seed rattle during a Festival of the Altars performance at Potrero Del Sol Park.

 

People hold up poles with jaguar depictions during the procession.

 

Nazim Hightower applies Catrina makeup to Serenity McCarty. “[We] decided with some friends from the Latino culture to come and support [and] participate,” Hightower said of attending their first Día de los Muertos event

. 

Anastasia of San Francisco attends the Day of the Dead celebrations every year. 

 

Stars hang from an altar created by Mia Velez of San Francisco. Velez reflected the five Chinese elements in the altar’s base, but then invited people to hang stars with their loved ones names on the upper half. “I was kind of playing off the idea that a lot of cultures believe that the stars are their ancestors, looking down upon them,” she said.

 

Azteca dancers on 24th Street.

 

A woman in Day of the Dead costume. 

 

An altar set up on the hill at Potrero Del Sol Park.

 

Maracatu Pacifico dancers during the procession.

 

Jarim Aguilar stands on 24th Street holding an altar for loved ones during the procession. 

 

Artist Adrian Arias painted this artwork during the Festival of the Altars on Saturday.

 

A woman hangs name tags on an ofrenda.

 

 
Rosalva Avalos, who attends the event every year, came with her partner and son to celebrate and keep their family tradition alive.

 

Dancers make their way down 24th Street.

 

Azteca dancers begin the procession with a blessing.

 

Ashley Santoyo applies makeup at Potrero Del Sol Park. 

 

Folklorico dancers during the procession.

 

Notes to loved ones are hung on lines at Festival of the Altars.