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Day of the Dead raises thousands of visitors

Nearly 5,000 people visited Artscape Wychwood Barns for Dia de los Muertos — the Mexican Day of the Dead — on Oct. 27.

It was the 10th annual celebration at the Barns, which were decorated with petals and scented with incense and mum flowers.

The Mexican celebration officially begins the evening of Nov. 1, but people seemed happy to join the celebrations a few days earlier and sample the wares from 14 vendors indoors and food served by 12 vendors outdoors.

Day of the Dead booth
DEATH DEALING: A costumed celebrant looks over the bargains among the wares at the Day of the Dead.

The celebration of death — and life — was free for all from 4 to 11 p.m., inviting people to participate in processions, workshops and community art projects and to enjoy the opening smudge ceremony, colourful dances and drum circle.

At the community altar celebrants could carry on the tradition of honouring their departed loved ones with incense, food, water, candy, and pictures.

 

 

 

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Drum circle presents music for the opening ceremony and dances.

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Asalia Arellano performs her dance piece at the event opening.