Day of the Dead festivities planned

The Plaza District and the University of Oklahoma on Oct. 29 will mark Day of the Dead — or Dia de los Muertos — a centuries-old Latin American holiday that celebrates the lives of departed family and friends.

The Plaza District’s fourth annual celebration, a community cultural event paying a respectful tribute to the famed the Hispanic holiday of remembrance and tradition, is set for 1 to 7 p.m. Oct. 29 in the 1700 block of NW 16 between Indiana and Blackwelder avenues. The event will include the La Catrina Procession at 4 p.m., art-making activities for children and adults, food trucks, a Mexican Monster Movie marathon, and live performances by Fillmore Elementary Mariachi band, Classen SAS Mariachi Band, Everything Goes Dance Studios’ “Spirit of Mexico” Folkloric Dance Company, Magic Tree Studio and the all-skeleton band Los Eskeletos.

The event is family-oriented but open to people of all ages and backgrounds. For more information, go to www. plazadistrict.org.

OU Student Life and the OU Hispanic American Student Association host their version of Day of the Dead from 2 to 10 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Lloyd Noble Center, 2900 S Jenkins Ave. in Norman. The OU Day of the Dead Street Festival also will offer sugar skull decorating, face painting, carnival rides, customized lowriders, food trucks, the grand processional at 6:15, and live performances from headliner Roberto Tapia, Banda Gabachos, Mariachi Orgullos and Grupo Norahua. Admission to the OU Day of the Dead Street Festival, which is for all ages, is free. Participants are encouraged to wear traditional Day of the Dead costumes. All proceeds will support scholarships for the Association of Latino Alumni and Friends. For more information, go to www.facebook. com/events/465836147125827.