Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors.  It is now combined with All Souls’ Day, a custom brought by the Spanish in the 1500s.

There are Fiestas throughout the area, but we again chose to hop on the trolley and ride a couple stops to Old Town State Park.

Our first stop was the Community Alter

It is here that anyone can post a remembrance of a passed loved one.  We added Fran’s brother to the alter.

Bobby passed a few weeks ago after a long battle with complications from Parkinson’s.

This is easily the biggest crowd we have experienced in Old Town!  Even the trolley was full.

The shops were decorated with Magnolias to ward off any evil spirits.

Shops and street vendors offer sugar skulls and flower bling.

A young girl dressed in her folkloric best, with her painted face was ready to have her photo taken.

I think Casa de Reyes is overrated, but they do indeed put on a great show.

The main stage had a very good Mariachi group as we passed by

And this staple mariachi group made their annual appearance.

The gals at Barra Barra dressed in their colorful outfits are ready to enjoy the fiesta.

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Outside tamales, chips/salsa, churros and adult beverages are available.

This alter was a very nice tribute to Jimmy Buffett.

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These gals were out wandering the square.

My phone battery is now dead, no more photos :(
Fran and I spilt a fish taco plate at Casa de Maria before taking the trolley home.

Later this week is the Baja Ha-Ha sailing regatta.  I'll take the camera with a longer battery life ;)