Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Historic Downtown Chelan

Parade and Festivities from Noon – 4 p.m. on November 3rd

information released; photo above courtesy of HDCA

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead is a celebration of loved ones who have passed and is a culturally significant event in Latin American countries. Families create ofrendas (offerings) to honor their departed family members. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their loved ones prayers, smell their food, and join in the celebrations.

¡HOLA! Chelan Valley invites everyone to attend Dia de los Muertos on Sunday, November 3rd from noon -4 p.m. in Historic Downtown Chelan.

Event-goers can walk in, or enjoy watching the parade on Woodin Ave. at noon, and then have fun with all the activities in Riverwalk Park. Prior to the parade, there will be face painting available and a booth to color paper masks representing the traditional sugar skull that are an icon of the Dia de los Muertos holiday.

Following the parade, more fun activities can be found in Riverwalk Park. Participants are welcome to come down dressed in traditional garb for Dia de los Muertos, or in their Halloween costumes to play games, paint pumpkins, and join in other arts and crafts provided by the Lake Chelan Arts Council.

While at the park, the community is invited to peruse Latinx vendors and partake in delicious street food during the event. A community altar is available, and everyone is encouraged to bring photos of departed loved ones to add to the altar (please note that ¡HOLA! Chelan Valley and their partners are not responsible for photos left at the altar).

A mariachi band, traditional folkloric dancers, and Mexican Banda playing fun and lively tunes will make this a day to remember!

The ¡HOLA! Chelan Valley committee takes pride in organizing this event and the committee is comprised of a group of local leaders:

Marcela Anaya, owner of Marcela’s Cocina Mexicana and Laguna Grill;
Maribel Cruz, Executive Director of the Lake Chelan Community Center; and
Ruby Garcia from the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce.

Historic Downtown Chelan Association is proud to be a sponsor of Dia de los Muertos. This event would not be possible without sponsors and donors who are committed to providing welcoming and inclusive events in Chelan.

Thank you to Marcela’s Cocina Mexicana, The Lake Chelan Arts Council, Aguilar’s Landscaping, Laguna Grill, Benson Winery, NCW News/ Lake Chelan Mirror and grants from the Woods Family Foundation and the Lake Chelan Community Services Council.

The Dia de los Muertos event starts at noon on Sunday, November 3rd in Historic Downtown Chelan with a parade on Woodin Ave. and then moves to Riverwalk Park for entertainment, festival shopping, and food!

For more information visit https://historicchelan.org/events/dia-de-los-muertos.