Celebrating Day of the Dead

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

For the second year in row, Penticton’s Shatford Centre will come alive with a Mexican tradition to honour ancestors.

Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is spearheaded by two Penticton artists, both of whom are originally from Mexico City.

Ana Oomen had the idea to share the celebration with the Penticton community in 2015.

At the Shatford Centre, she met fellow artist Norberto Rodriguez de la Vega.

Last October, they combined their talents and organizational skills and several hundred people visited the 2015 festivities, enjoying traditional food and visual displays.

The Shatford Centre’s Jane Shaak says this weekend’s Dia de Muertos will have an expanded list of activities.  

“We will offer a sampling of traditional food and beverage. There will be creative stations for face-painting or decorating the traditional sugar skulls," she said. "The displays of ancestral altars are also one of the highlights.”

Suggested donation is $10, children $5, or a family donation of $20.

Festivities run on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at 760 Main Street in Penticton.