Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Festival Returned To Downtown -RECAP

OCEANSIDE, CA —The return of the 20th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival to Downtown Oceanside on Sunday drew thousands of visitors. The streets were lined with colorful altars paying tribute to loved ones adorned with painted skulls, food offerings and thousands of marigolds.

The altars lining Pier View Way were mostly in the trunks of vehicles but the creative displays included bikes, table tops, archways and skeletons dressed as a wedding couple.

Many visitors came dressed in costume with the La Catrina costumes a crowd favorite for photo opps.

The entertainment throughout the day included dancers and other performances including the Danza de los Diablos (Dance of the Devils).

Take a video tour of the 20th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in Downtown Oceanside from Sunday October 24th, 2021.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF DIA DE LOS MUERTOS?

The Festival of Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the dead, the interaction between the living and the dead and the cycle of life. This view of death started with Mesoamerican cultures more than 3,000 years ago. From Mexico to Nicaragua, societies believed that at this time of year the boundaries separating the living and the dead weakened, and the deceased could visit the living. Unlike the Spaniards who viewed death as an end, they saw it is as a continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. Life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake. Traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, the holiday varies from region to region and also by degree of urbanization. In small towns of Mexico a candlelight procession to a cemetery is held by most families on the eve of the celebration. Family members decorate grave sites with flowers and enjoy a meal. Offerings are brought to dead loved ones and include their favorite foods, beverages, toys and personal belongings. Family members may also spend the night and share the memory of their loved ones by telling stories about them.

Information courtesy of Friends of Oceanside Dia de los Muertos

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