Over 250 People Attend Dia de los Muertos Celebration in The Dalles
Martha Verduzco Ortega, Hood River Latino Network President, Amber Rose Orion, Hood River Latino Network Board Member, Xiovanni Orion, Volunteer, and Betty Negrete, Wasco County Elections staffing a booth at the event. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles, Ore., November 3, 2023 – A Dia de los Muertos celebration at The Dalles Wasco County Library, saw an enormous attendance of over 250 community members last night, November 2nd from 5-7:30 p.m. The event included a resource fair, live music performances from Janelle Santos, and Los Renagados, dancing, pastries, tacos from Tacos Tumbras, hot canela (a sweet cinnamon spiced herbal tea), ofrendas, crafts, lotería (a game of chance similar to bingo), face painting and a raffle.
Young dancers performing a traditional dance. Photo Credit: Hood River Latino Network
Attedees gathered around to listen to music and enjoy socializing with family and friends. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Los Renegados performing musica regional Mexicano (regional Mexican music that has a very country western feel.) Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
The event was organized by Kristen Wells of The Dalles Wasco County Library, Hood River Latino Network and Wasco County OSU Extension Service, Comunidades and Columbia Gorge Community College, in partnership with Wasco County Elections, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Adventist Health Columbia Gorge, and The Dalles High School Juntos Club. Several Juntos club members were volunteering at the event.
Juntos volunteers directing people at the main entrance. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
An artist paints a calavera. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
A very busy craft table. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Community members learning about local resources at the resource fair. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
“We create events to share the resources that our community has, and we focus mainly on Latinos and people of color but we also do it to combine and share the cultures,” said Martha Verduzco Ortega, Hood River Latino Network President.
“We tend to do a lot of events in Hood River County because that’s where most of us are from. But we do represent the Columbia River Gorge. So this year we wanted to focus a little bit more on The Dalles,” shared Verduzco Ortega.
Amber Rose marks the hand of a raffle contestant. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Verduzco Ortega also shared a little about the significance of the Dia de los Muertos, an annual celebration in honor of loved ones who have passed away. The celebration typically takes place on November 1-2nd, although in some places in Mexico October 31 of November 6 are also included in the celebration.
“It’s the Day of the Dead and it’s about remembering the people who have passed a way, either ancestors, or a more recent person. You put out their favorite food. Each of the things on the ofrenda, the salt, the marigolds, they each have a representation of something. So, it is calling all the spirits that have gone to the other side. Today is the day they come to be with us.”
An ofrenda set up at The Dalles Wasco County Library. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Attendees were invited to honor their loved ones by writing their names on a butterfly. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
An ofrenda, or altar acknowledging the dead can vary greatly. But ofrends often contains such staple items as papel picado (paper cut out garlands), sugar skulls, cempasúchil (marigolds, which represent the fleeting nature of life), photographs of deceased loved ones, pan de muerto (bread of the dead), candles, and salt (representing purification).
A young Catrina rests for a moment by the ofrenda. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Dia de los Muertos is steeped in symbolism.
Even the colors of the papel picado or paper cutouts each carry an important meaning: black is for death, purple is mourning, pink is for celebration, white is for hope, and yellow is for the life-giving sun.
Community members dressed as Catrinas pose for a photo. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Several community members came dressed as La Calavera Catrina or The Catrinas or Catrinas de Muerte. The Catrinas, or Day of the Dead figures have a rich history in art and culture and have taken on many meanings over the years. For instance illustrations by Jose Guadalupe Posada can be interpreted more as a social commentary on social class than anything else. In his illustration, La Calavera (skull) represents poverty while the Calavera Catrina (fancy skull) represents those who have gained fame or fortune after death.
In general, the Catrinas are skeletons that represent the loss of family and friends during the years. The costumes usually consist of a skull or skeleton dressed up in fancy European clothing. Catrinas represent both sadness and happiness, a kind of bittersweet rebellion or protest against death.
At the end of the day the event is about celebrating all souls, and bringing people together both living and dead.
“More than anything, I think it’s a great way to unite our community,” said Verduzco Ortega.
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