Chelsea’s fourth Annual Día de los Muertos celebration, held at Washington Park on November 2, brought together community members and visitors to honor their loved ones in a vibrant and meaningful way. The event drew a large crowd and featured a range of activities for families to enjoy.
Organized by JukeBox Event Management and funded by the City of Chelsea, the event highlighted the community’s dedication to celebrating its rich cultural heritage. Attendees engaged in face painting, enjoyed a live painting session by local artist Oscar Alcazar, and left offerings at beautifully designed community altars. These altars were crafted by local artist Max Corona, with floral arrangements provided by Chelsea Botanicals, inviting participants to leave flowers in memory of those they have lost. In the weeks leading up to the event, artist Kyle Brown hosted a workshop at the Chelsea Public Library to prepare offerings. During the celebration, Kyle assisted participants in creating lanterns for the altars.
Entertainment was diverse, showcasing performances from Mariachi Los Cascabeles, DJ James, the Salvadoran folk ballet Grupo Torogoz, and concluding with the lively sounds of Crocodile River Music, which celebrated African rhythms.
Local small businesses, such as Calaveras Tattoo, offered traditional costumes. Food vendors provided delicious Latin-inspired dishes from Antojitos Latinos Chelsea, Orlando’s Fully Baked, and Isla Oasis, along with treats for furry friends from Happy Tails Dog Treats. Accessory and jewelry vendors, including Sepulchra Jewelry, Star Bella’s Creations, and Karen Accessories, were also present at the event.
Overall, the 4th Annual Día de los Muertos in Chelsea was a heartwarming celebration of life, love, and community spirit, creating a beautiful space for remembrance and joy. For more information about upcoming events, please contact Lourdes Alvarez at [email protected].