A decade ago, Casa de Cultura Tlanese hosted its first small Día de Muertos event in Salem.
On Saturday hundreds gathered at McKay High School to see traditional Mexican folkloric ballet performed by the group, as well as song and dance from other local entertainers.
The local celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead has grown significantly over the years and now includes face painting, handicrafts from local artists, performers of all ages and a large ofrenda for people to remember dead relatives and friends.
One of the goals is to bring Mexico to young Salemites who might never have visited the country their family comes from, organizers said.
A balloon arch greets visitors to Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.
