San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre is hosting the county's Día de los Muertos celebration this Saturday, bringing mariachi, Danza Azteca and a community ofrenda to the waterfront courtyard outside the County Administration Center. The free, all-ages event is titled Recordando los Sonidos del Pasado, and it honors the idea that music can bring loved ones, memories and stories back to life.
According to KPBS, the event is Supervisor Aguirre's annual celebration and will take place in the County Administration Building courtyard at 1600 Pacific Highway. As uniradioinforma.com reports, Aguirre will lead the celebration on Saturday, October 24, with the event billed as free and open to the public. The celebration runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Music, Dance and a Visit From Mexico's Consul General
The program leans heavily on music and dance, per KPBS, with mariachi, ballet folklórico and live music filling out the afternoon. The same uniradioinforma.com report describes the stage hosting traditional Danza Azteca rituals, a performance by the San Diego Symphony, and a showcase of mariachi and folkloric dance from Chula Vista High School students. The outlet also reports that live salsa and cumbia sets will feature Nicole McFly, Alma del Barrio, Mariachi Dinastía, Kimba Light and DJ-Xakti.
Mexico's consul general in San Diego, Ambassador Alicia Kerber-Palma, is expected to take part and deliver a message alongside community leaders and elected officials, the report notes.
Ofrendas, Face Painting and Food Trucks
Beyond the main stage, KPBS reports the event will include three community ofrendas honoring family, friends and pets, along with local vendors, food trucks and face painting for kids. Guests can submit a photo of a loved one in advance to be printed and included on the ofrenda, or simply bring a photo to add in person the day of the event. The same listing notes attendees can also submit a song for a community playlist through an online form, or email a photo with the subject line Día de los Muertos Photo and Song to [email protected]. Questions can be directed to the District 1 office at (619) 531-5511.
xewt12.com separately describes the altar component in similar terms, noting that attendees can honor loved ones at the community altar by bringing a photo of family, friends or even pets. Activities described in the uniradioinforma.com report include artisan booths, a photo booth and a children's area, alongside the food trucks and face-painting stations.
One of Several Celebrations on the Calendar
San Diego's broader Día de los Muertos calendar is crowded this time of year, and Aguirre's event has carved out its own slot on it. According to sandiegoexplorer.com, it's described as the earliest of the county's Día de los Muertos celebrations and the only one held on the water. The same outlet notes that falling nine days before the holiday itself means it doesn't collide with the Barrio Logan, Old Town and Sherman Heights celebrations clustered around November 1 and 2.
