Ofrendas decorated in vibrant colors may include photos, candles and incense, filled Cesar Chavez park on Saturday to celebrate the Mexican holiday of Día De Los Muertos.
While the event is usually celebrated annually on Nov. 1-2 to honor the dead, the holiday came earlier to San Jose.
The event is a joyful celebration of life with plenty of color rather than of mourning. The dead are remembered through ofrendas, also known as altars, to honor their ancestors.
Those paying their respects to the dead may bring the deceased’s favorite food and items to place on the ofrenda.
Stands were full of people waiting in line for traditional Mexican food that ranged from tamales, a dish made from corn dough and various fillings, and mariscos, seafood dishes.
Some of the food was from Super Tamales, a Mexican restaurant located in San Jose, and food truck Pacifico Shrimp.
The event also featured a performance by The Calpulli Tonalehqueh group, an Aztec dance group that focuses on wisdom, harmony and culture.
Many Aztecs dominated the Northern region of Mexico, and their culture and rituals are standard practices to many Chicanos.
The traditional headpieces and body suits were made of feathers and other colorful patterns that created beautiful looks. The group wore layers of rattles around their ankles that made sound as they danced to the drumming of the leading chief.
Alongside tents full of gifts, there were colorful hand-painted skulls from Mexico at the stall of the local San Jose artist Francisco Ramirez. His work includes realism, hyperrealism, abstract and surrealism.
Ramirez found his love for drawing and became a self-taught artist who graduated from James Lick High School in 1999 and has worked on over 15 large murals across San Jose.
Attendee Teodora Carrera had a “lively” time being surrounded by her culture at the event. Born in Durango, Mexico in the 1950s, Carrera hasn’t been there in a while.
"It has been a few years since I have been to Mexico, but family is forever and today feels amazing to be surrounded by life and good food," Carrera shared.
