Plaza District plans Day of the Dead event
The annual Day of the Dead Festival in the Plaza District will return for its fifth year from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday on the 1700 block of NW 16, between Indiana and Blackwelder.
The Day of the Dead Festival is a community cultural event celebrating the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos, which honors and remembers friends and family members who have died.
The free event will offer family friendly activities, including a parade, entertainment, food, art and shopping.
The La Catrina procession featuring costumed “Catrins and Catrinas,” large puppets and a drum line will start at 4:15 p.m. and go down NW 16. This year will include contests for best wagon, stroller or bike floats dedicated to Day of the Dead. There also will be a “Calavera Contest” to award the best-dressed Catrina or Catrin.
Entertainment will include dance performances from Everything Goes Dance Studio’s “Spirit of Mexico” Folkloric Dance Company and Yumare Mexican Folkloric Dancers, musical performances from Oklahoma City’s Mariachi Orgullo de America featuring Theresa Beck, and the all-skeleton band Los Eskeletos.
Activity stations for both kids and adults will feature Papel Picado making, sugar skull mask making and a coloring station. There also will be a free photo booth by Memory Creations and a Day of the Dead themed youth art show featuring creations from several Oklahoma City public schools.
Additional attractions will include professional face-painting services and food selections from food trucks such as Big Truck Taco, El Taco Box and Churros Meoqui, as well as restaurants in the Plaza District.
The Plaza District’s eclectic mix of boutiques will be open and participating in the festival along with a selection of hand-picked vendors and artists with Day of the Dead themed merchandise.
A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to Capitol Hill High School Academy of Arts and Refugee and Immigrant Center for Edu-