The City of Puerto Vallarta, along with the deputy director of Culture, the head of municipal markets, the Institute of Youth Vallarta and Vallarta Hotels Centro, will host a display of traditional Dia de Los Muertos altars, a Catrina Contest, pan de muerto tastings, and many other activities promoting this seasonal Mexican tradition.
The results of the Catrina Contest will be displayed all along the street. These catrinas are between 1.65 and 2 meters in height and will be constructed of traditional materials.
Day of the Dead celebrations represent a mixture of pre-Hispanic customs and beliefs. According to ancient history, when a person dies their spirit lives on in Mictlan, a place where they rest peacefully until the day Day of the Dead, when they return to their former homes to visit their relatives.
The ritual calendar includes two arrivals of the dead. On November 1st, known as Holy Innocents’ Day, or All Saints Day, the dead children come to be baptized, and on November 2 all of the dead are honored.
At 7 pm on November 2nd, Calle AgustÃn RodrÃguez – next to the municipal market, will be closed to traffic so all can come and enjoy festivities which will include an exhibit of Catrinas, Mariachi music, the Xuitla folkloric ballet, jineteo riding, charros, raffles, crafts and regional cuisine and fireworks.
There will be skull painting contests for children. At 8 pm the Caravan of Joy (cultural walk) will begin at the Hotel Rosita and proceed down the Malecon.
The public is also invited to come to the Presidencia to enjoy viewing of Day of the Dead altars and poems written by the locals. Traditional altars will also be on display at various hotel lobbies around the city.