Day of the Dead 2015

         Dia de los Muertos.... that translates to Day of the Dead, and it is a Mexican tradition and holiday that dates back over three thousand years. Some critics say it plays up to the Devil and his Satanic following, but a little investigation on your part will reveal the holiday was started to honor and pay respect to family members and friends that have preceded you in death..
     The Sugar Skull is almost emblematic with the holiday and he is seen just about everywhere...and most of all on people's faces.


       
This Sugar Skull is actually a cookie jar that was being offered by one of the many vendors that came out today for the celebration in Denison. The vendor booths were many and varied. Food is a big part of the celebration and you could find hot dogs and hamburgers, but most of the time it was tacos and burritos.

       
    Downtown Main Street was closed down for four blocks to allow the holiday to take over temporarily. The vendors were also selling clothing items and lots of jewelry. I was really impressed with all the color of the activities. Everywhere you looked it was bright colors of the rainbow in clothes, cars, buses, etc.

    
       I have no connection to this tradition being a German-American,...but my wife's family dates back to Spain and Mexico, so we usually go all out for this occasion. It is the fourth year for Denison to recognize the Day of the Dead and it gets a little bigger and better each year. Dancers from the Denison Dance Academy performed at Heritage Park for the crowd and were well received.

     
    I failed to mention the face-painting booths along Main Street. If you came to the celebration without face make-up, there were plenty of artists there to help you paint your own Sugar Face.

          
   My wife and daughter painted their faces before we headed for the downtown activities. Both of them are extremely talented in the art department and it shows in their work. Momma continues to amaze me with her art work and daughter Laura shows it continues in the blood line.

       
  This was before we got to the activities.... Once downtown I discovered a water fountain that I have never seen before, and I have lived here since the 1970's. It is on the east side of the old Barrett Building and is gorgeous. 

     
   What did I tell you?... Isn't that a great fountain?
One of the great things about Day of the Dead is that everyone wants to be seen in their attire. As I ranged up and down Main Street I approached complete strangers and asked about taking their photo...and everyone seemed pleased to take the time to have their picture taken.

          
     In the afternoon a parade was held down Main Street and the theme of the day prevailed in all of the floats, puppets, and cars that were part of the parade.

      
     I found it somewhat ironic that just the day before Momma and I had gone to the movies to see the new James Bond flick 'Spectre.' The opening scene in the movie has Bond in a downtown plaza in Mexico City and the crowd of 25-30 thousand people are all celebrating the Day of the Dead. It was sort of a preview of what to expect the next day.. Weird huh?
    It was a great time for all... and I think everyone went home happy with the participation. I am already looking forward to next year...