Thursday, November 2 from 5:00-7:00pm local organizations will honor el Día de los Muertos at the Coos Bay Public Library in a community-wide celebration. The free, family-friendly event will feature live mariachi music from Mariachi Monumental de Oregon, crafts, food and conversation. The celebration is made possible through the efforts and funding support of the Coos Bay Public Library, the South Coast Equity Coalition, Coos Hispanic Allies, United Way of Southwestern Oregon, Positive Parenting, and Marshfield High School’s Latin-X Club. El Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a two-day Mexican holiday where families honor and celebrate ancestors in a reunion of the living and the dead. Families or communities create altars with offerings to family members that have died. Altars typically include marigolds and the favorite food of those who have died to encourage those departed to join in the celebration. Festivities usually include brightly colored papel picado, skeletons, sweet bread (pan de muertos), costumes, face painting and painted sugar skulls. About Mariachi Monumental – Directed by Arturo Zavala, the Eugene-based Mariachi Monumental de Oregon represents the best in musicianship. The group has been playing since 2012 and performs a wide repertoire of traditional Mexican music for audiences throughout Oregon. The group will play two 45-minute sets as part of the event. About Sponsoring Agencies – The South Coast Equity Coalition is part of a statewide initiative that serves as a bridge to historically underserved and underrepresented communities. Their goal is to empower diverse groups to become involved in developing unique, culturally appropriate solutions to pervasive issues of inequity that impact the health outcomes and wellbeing of community members. Under the umbrella of United Way of Southwestern Oregon, the Coalition now supports both Coos Hispanic Allies and Southern Oregon Coast Pride. Coos Hispanic Leadership Committee is dedicated to empowering our Hispanic community and inspiring cultural diversity. La comité de liderazgo hispano esta dedicada para empoderar nuestra communidad Hispana y inspriar la diversidad cultural. Pathways to Positive Parenting offers parent education classes, workshops and family engagement events throughout Coos and Curry counties. Recognizing the important role that parents play in the lives of their children, they partner with schools, early education programs and other community groups. In addition to offering physical and digital resources for the Coos Bay community, the Coos Bay Public Library offers programming for all ages throughout the year. For additional information about programs being offered by the Coos Bay Public Library please contact the library by calling (541) 269-1101 x3606 or by visiting the library’s website at https://www.coosbaylibrary.org.
