Halloween is just around the corner and what’s scarier than walking around in San Francisco’s Mission District at night? Doing it surrounded by people dressed up as skeletons for the ultimate “Dio de Los Muertos” celebration and street party.
From DayoftheDeadSF.org :
“We invite all individuals, community members, artists, families to view and participate in the yearly Dia de los Muertos Procession and Festival of Altars at Garfield Park, on November 2. This is an artful community celebration honoring both death and the cycle of life. All interested parties are welcome to create altars in honor of their ancestors, loved ones, friends that have passed away. We encourage people to bring mementos and candles to celebrate their loved ones. Please bring candles that are in glass containers. Altars can be made of anything you desire: from paper to flowers, to steel. The shrines are elaborate and colorful, each piece made to represent with love and respect an individual offering for the ancestors.
Setup time for altars start at noon on November 2nd at Garfield Park– park boundaries are 25th and 26th street, between Treat and Harrison.
The center of San Francisco’s predominantly Hispanic neighborhood is 24th Street, a colorful collection of restaurants, taquerias, Mexican bakeries, fresh produce markets, butchers, and specialty shops. 24th Street, is a historic, tree-lined street, known as El Corazon de la Misione, or “the heart of the Mission.” The festival of altars is located in Garfield Park, at 25th and Harrison, just one block south.”
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dia-de-los-muertos-day-of-the-dead-san-francisco :
“It’s amazing.
There are adults and children alike painted as skeletons, dressed in everything from gothic, lacy creations to Mexican-Indian costumes, to garments made of the traditional red, yellow, green, and white fabrics. There are candles, and sage bundles burning, and drummers and dancers and altars on the doorsteps that the procession passes.
Both this year and last, the energy made me want to laugh (which I did) and cry (which I didn’t) at the same time, it was so strange and so exciting.”
