Art, food, tradition and lowriders: Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in KCK on Saturday

Kansas City, Kansas, is celebrating Dia de los Muertos this weekend with the Central Avenue Betterment Association’s 5th annual festival, and you’re invited.

Ten blocks of Central Avenue will be jam-packed with food, music, art and good times to honor loved ones who have passed away. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.

What is the Dia de los Muertos festival?

The event will feature local vendors, performances, a parade and a lowrider car show, which Edgar Galicia, the director of CABA, said is a brand new addition this year.

You can expect time-honored Dia de los Muertos traditions from Mexico like calavera-style face painting, Catrinas dancing up and down the street and buildings decorated with ofrendas dedicated to loved ones.

“It is a colorful memorial day focused on the actions of the living who have passed,” Galicia said.“We celebrate their memory. We believe that as long as anyone remembers the deceased, they’re still alive in heaven.”

Do I need tickets ahead of time?

No, the event is free to the public, and Galicia said everyone is invited.

“We have constantly gotten questions about cultural respect and the ways to celebrate without imposing or making anybody feel bad,” he said.

The only thing to keep in mind is the reason behind the party.

“We do it in honor of our loved ones,” Galicia said. “As we enjoy ourselves, we all think of someone who we love and make sure that we take them into consideration. We invite them and we bring them with us.”

Here’s everything that will be going down in KCK.

What you’ll find all day:

• Face painting—Local artists will be painting calavera-style paint on those who want it. Calavera is Spanish for skull, and it serves as a reminder that our spirit is strong and lasting like the bones underneath our skin.

• Art in the park—You can get a map of where all the different artists’ booths will be when you get there.

• Ofrendas—Spanish for “offering,” families have built small shrines for their loved ones who have passed. These sometimes feature a Christian cross, candles, statues or pictures of deceased relatives and close friends. They usually offer the deceased’s favorite foods and spend time around the shrine, praying and telling stories about them.

• Food—Local spots like Taquería Chapimex, The Sugar Skull Grill and Taco Cacao will serve as the day’s treats. Enjoy some of the best Mexican food in KCK as you walk around and take in the sights and sounds.

And here’s the performance schedule:

• 12-2 p.m. local high school marching band performances

• 2-4 p.m. DJs

• 3-5 p.m. Walking Catrinas—Originally used by the working class in Mexico to mock the rich that regardless of their status, everyone ends up wearing a skull, the Catrina has now become a symbol of worship during Dia de los Muertos. While the winner of the Catrina Queen contest was already selected, they’ll be announced during the event and the many participants will be walking the streets in their costumes.

• 4-6 p.m. Live music—There are 10 stages featuring local acts like Sandra la Voz Romantica, Alvaro Villalpando and Perla Portales. Each performer will bring their own Mexican flair to an already exciting day.

• 6-8 p.m. Parade—The Dia de los Muertos Parade will be held for the third time. With more than 30 floats going from Sixth street to 16th street and Catrinas dancing the entire way, the parade will honor Mexico’s history.

• The festival ends at 9 p.m.

Anything else?

The festival will also have a COVID-19 vaccination site.

“If you want to vaccinate yourself and have some fun, come here, have some tacos and get the shot,” Galicia said.