Emporia residents braved gray skies and cold rain for the town’s fifth annual Dia de los Muertos festival on Saturday, Oct. 28 on Commercial Street. The event, hosted by local organization Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow (HOTT), featured activities including a parade, Latin Fit Zumba, performances from the band Mariachi Los Reyes and artists Jaime Izaguirre and Erick Sanchez, and dance group RaícesHispanas GrupoFolclórico before closing with a fire show.
The event contrasted the dark skies with vibrant flower crowns and tents belonging to vendors selling food and merchandise.
“What we’re selling here are flower crowns for Day of the Dead, some of them are starters where you can add on to make them bigger,” said Denise James of Topeka with Pinkablue. “This is actually our first time in Emporia for this festival… The setup was great, how they gave us space on the street and electricity and plenty of options for food.”
Day of The Dead is a widely celebrated holiday in Mexico and other parts of Latin America to honor departed loved ones. Its celebration in Emporia bears cultural significance for many members of the community.
“This is my third Dia de los Muertos that I’ve done with them and I think it just keeps getting better and better.” HOTT volunteer coordinator Yaheira Ibarra said.
“You don’t have to be Mexican or Salvadorian, I know there’s a big stereotype with that but it’s honestly for all Latin American cultures to come and express themselves,” Ibarra said. We would love to be seeing more people come from the university and participate and be able to really see what Emporia’s true identity is about.”
The festival, while scheduled to end at 3 p.m., closed early after a fire show from Kansas City group Tricks of Light due to winter weather and rain.
HOTT’s Dia de los Muertos festival is a community effort made possible by partnering with local businesses including KVOE radio station, Emporia Spanish Speakers, and Emporia Mainstreet, and mytownmedia out of Pittsburg, KS.
