A Glimpse Into Mexican Culture: Día de Muertos

LEHI, Utah (October 3, 2022) –  Día de Muertos, the Mexican and Latin American family celebration, is back at Thanksgiving Point on October 22! Authentic traditions, like alfombras de aserrín and ofrendas, allow guests of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to learn, appreciate, and connect with this iconic holiday.

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican and Latin American holiday where families reunite with the souls of their deceased relatives. On the Day of the Dead, the border between the spirit world and the mortal world dissolves, so the souls of dead relatives can return to the world and celebrate with their loved ones.

Thanksgiving Point was one of the first in the area to develop a large-scale Día de Muertos celebration. To make this event as culturally appropriate as possible, the Day of the Dead Committee meets many months prior to the event. Five women who are influential in the Hispanic community serve on the Committee. Half of them have been on the Committee since 2013, the first Day of the Dead celebration at Thanksgiving Point.

Traditional elements of Día de Muertos included in the celebration at Thanksgiving Point include:

• Alfombras de aserrín: Alfombras de aserrín are floor tapestries made of wet sawdust and pine. Decorated with elaborate designs, they are significant to Guatemalan Día de Muertos traditions. They have been incorporated into Day of the Dead celebrations across Central America for more than 200 years.
• Ofrendas: Ofrendas are offerings built for the souls of the dead to help welcome them back to your home. Guests can create their own ofrendas to bring home in celebration or contribute to the community ofrenda. This year, guests may also submit a photo of a loved one to premier in the Digital Remembrance Ofrenda.
• Live performances from various prominent dance companies: Under the artistic direction of Dulce Benjamin, Thanksgiving Point’s celebration will include a lively line-up of songs and dance typical for Día de Muertos as well as favorites from various Latin American countries.
• Cempasúchil/Flor de Muertos: Fresh cempasúchil, or marigolds, are thought to attract the souls of loved ones to the ofrendas prepared for them. The fresh marigolds are locally sourced and grown in the Ashton Gardens.
• Catrina and Catrin Dress: Guests are encouraged to dress as catrinas or catrins, a symbol in Latin American culture to enjoy life and embrace mortality. Hispanic face-painting artists will be in the venue for kids and adults to get the iconic skull design on their faces.
• Local Hispanic artisans: Ceramics, jewelry, traditional Mayan clothes, Latin American art, and more will be available for viewing and purchasing at the event.

Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets online and in advance. Admission to Día de Muertos is $10 for adults and $3 for children 3-12. Children ages two and under are free. Thanksgiving Point members receive a 10 percent discount on admission.

Día de Muertos is celebrated on October 22, 2022 from 10 am to 8 pm in the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point. The Show Barn is located at 2476 Sycamore Ln in Lehi, Utah. For more information on Día de Muertos, please visit thanksgivingpoint.org/events/dia-de-muertos.

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About Thanksgiving Point

Thanksgiving Point is a community-owned nonprofit with the mission to bring the joy of learning and wonders of the natural world to life through world-class experiences that engage, delight, and inspire. Created in 1995 by Alan and Karen Ashton, Thanksgiving Point is a center of community engagement and welcomes more than two million annual visitors to dine, play, and explore together. Thanksgiving Point is located at 3003 North Thanksgiving Way in Lehi, Utah. For more information, call 801.768.2300 or visit thanksgivingpoint.org.

Media Contact

Abby Allard, Communications Manager

aallard@thanksgivingpoint.org

801.768.7482