October is often a month filled with decorations such as skulls and skeletons — markers of not only Halloween but also other cultural festivities such as Día de los Muertos.
During the city of Santa Clarita’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead” celebration at the Canyon Country Community Center on Saturday, the event highlighted traditions tracing back to its Indigenous Mesoamerican roots.
The afternoon event entailed an “ofrenda,” or altar to honor the deceased, a marigold arch for attendees to leave messages to their ancestors, and performances from a mariachi band and Golden Valley High School’s ballet folklorico.
In addition to mazes, face painting and “papel picado,” or traditional decorative folk art, there were many activities for people of all ages to participate in and learn more about the customs.
“The event has been a signature event since we opened. It’s a way to bring the community together before the holiday season begins with the traditions we have for Día de los Muertos. Every year, it has grown and included different elements. This year, we invited the Golden Valley folklorico dancers and the celebration has really expanded over the last few years,” said Julie Calderon, community services supervisor for the city of Santa Clarita. “This year, we worked with [Golden Valley] to bring a vendor that is selling food as a fundraiser to help the folklorico class buy more outfits. I believe 15% of the proceeds go back to the school.”
The incentive of the event is to invite community members of all ages and ethnicities to enjoy the activities for the afternoon, while also paying homage to loved ones.
“We incorporate activities for the whole family, starting with our annual ‘Zombie Run.’ This is put on by our youth sports department staff, and it’s a fun way to incorporate activities for the older youth. We have activities for toddlers, the ‘Mini Monster Maze,’ and it’s a lot of activities that they can touch and play with. We have arts and crafts including sugar skull painting, face painting, arts and crafts,” Calderon said. “We have an activity here that is a little more touching — it’s our arch to commemorate all of our departed souls. People can leave messages for their loved ones.”
Planning a year in advance, Calderon and the rest of the team made sure to include customary details, such as the marigold flowers.
“The ‘Cempasúchil’ flower, or marigolds essentially, is representative of the scent that draws the departed to the celebrations in the home. Usually, in Mexican tradition, they are utilized to form arches and help bring the loved ones back home with their sins,” Calderon said. “We try to make it fun for the kids to educate them on the meaning behind everything. This year, [what we’re doing differently] is bringing in additional vendors and trying to do a lot more marketing for the event so that we can continue to celebrate our families.”
Calderon finds this “touching holiday” as a way to honor her own father.
“Life moves so fast and this is a way to celebrate a moment of remembrance. I lost my father about 20 years ago, and this holiday and the music — he was a tenor, he used to sing — so the music and the flowers and everything bring him back. It’s beautiful,” Calderon said. “I don’t necessarily make an altar at home, but every time that we build something like this and remember our loved ones, my father is the one that I personally incorporate into my remembrance.”
Elijah Greene Samana, 17, has been coming to city events with his family for years, and reflected on the beauty of gathering for every major event or holiday.
“Coming here feels special because it really brings us and everyone a part of Santa Clarita together, and it really brings joy. People have other things that they have to worry about in their own lives, but when they come here, it’s just something different that includes more bonding,” Samana said. “Today’s event is about remembering your ancestors and celebrating with them. You’re here in this world, fighting each day, and trying to make the people that you love in your family tree proud.”
