Karen Montes participates as an entrant in the Concurso de Catrina (Catrina Contest) at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)
A crowd gathered Saturday at McKay High School for Salem’s largest celebration of Día de los Muertos.
The annual event, put on by dance group Casa de Cultura Tlanese, included a Catrina contest for women to show off their costumes and intricate makeup for the classic Mexican skull symbol.
Liliana and Kyoni Rangel enjoy lunch at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Ximena Macias as La Catrina at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Bellaa Garibay gets her face made up at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)The Los Tata Keris Alegres de Michoacan dancers prepare to perform the Danza de Viejitos at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Carmen Reyes serves homemade pupusas and the trimmings at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)The traditional altar was full of ofrendas placed by attendees at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)The Los Tata Keris Alegres de Michoacan dancers perform the Danza de Viejitos at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Ballet Folklorico Tlanese dancers peek out from backstage before their show starts at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Ballet Folklórico Tlanese dancers perform a traditional dance from Jalisco, Mexico, during the Dia de Los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Ballet Folklórico Tlanese dancers perform a traditional dance from Jalisco, Mexico, during the Dia de Los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Ballet Folklórico Tlanese dancers perform a traditional dance from Jalisco, Mexico, during the Dia de Los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Gemanereida Barragan- Cruz sings traditional songs from Mexico at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Rosy Mendoza Mesinas takes time to pose with her traditional headdress from Oaxaca at the Día de Los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Ballet Folklórico Tlanese dancers before their performance at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Ballet Folklórico Tlanese perform a traditional dance from Yucatan before the crowd at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Asculey Tepaz participates as a winged La Catrina entrant in the Concurso de Catrina (Catrina Contest) at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov.1, 2025 (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)A junior entrant in the Concurso de Catrina (Catrina Contest) during the Día de Los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)An elegant entrant in the Concurso de Catrina (Catrina Contest) during the Día de Los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)Fatima Martinez participates as a junior entrant in the Concurso de Catrina (Catrina Contest) during the Día de Los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (LAURA TESLER/For Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
