Old Town’s Día de los Muertos isn’t your typical Day of the Dead.
Celebrated at the state historic park the weekend before the real dates of Nov. 1 and 2, the San Diego event takes in more than Mexican and Hispanic culture.
Try an altar for Adam West, the first Batman TV star, who died in June. Also present was a Police Officers Association Altar for the Fallen Officers.
Thousands of people flooded the park Saturday, with parking spots gone when the festival started at 11 a.m.
Continuing Sunday, the event honors the unity between life and death when families come together and offer hospitality to the spirits of their loved ones.
Sunday’s schedule:
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Giant skeleton puppet bride and groom
- Noon – 6 Children’s Arts and Crafts
- Noon – 6 Giant skull painting demonstration
- Noon – 6 Paper flower making demonstration
- Noon – 6 Wheel of Fortune
- Noon – 8 Face painters
- Noon – 12:30 Dia de los Muertos Theatrical play
- 12:30 – 1 Aztec Dancers
- 1 – 1:30 Dia de los Muertos Theatrical play
- 1 – 8 Beer garden
- 1:30 – 2 Aztec Dancers
- 2 – 2:30 Dia de los Muertos Theatrical play
- 2:30 – 3 Aztec Dancers
- 2:30 Piñata at Wells Fargo
- 3 – 3:30 Ethnic Parade
- 3:30 – 6:30 Santana Pa Ti
- 3:30 Piñata at Wells Fargo
- 4:30 Piñata at Wells Fargo
- 6:45 – 8:15 Giant skeleton puppet and skeleton stilt walker
Fiesta de Reyes Stage (inside Fiesta de Reyes)
- 10:15 – 2 Folklórico Dancing
- 2:30 – 6:15 Los Rios Mariachi Fusion
- 6:45 – 9:30 Luis Max & Blue Moon
Fallen police officers are honored at an altar at the Dia de los Muertos event in Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
A fallen police officer is honored at an altar at the Dia de los Muertos event in Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
A colorful pumpkin is on display at the Dia de los Muertos event in Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
Sugar skulls await decoration in Old Town at the Dia de los Muertos event. Photo by Chris Stone
Marigold petals are scattered an an altar honoring organ donors. Photo by Chris Stone
Cadel, 6, helps his mother, Carla Garcia, decorate a sugar skull at the Dia de los Muertos celebration. Photo by Chris Stone
Donate Life San Diego created an altar to honor organ donors. Photo by Chris Stone
A young girl learns how to make paper flowers in Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
Decorated skulls adorn Old Town for Dia de los Muertos. Photo by Chris Stone
Patrons share a margarita at Casa de Reyes restaurant. Photo by Chris Stone
A girl with Ballet Folklorico Real de San Diego performs for the Old Town crowd. Photo by Chris Stone
Old Town store owners Shawn Feuerstein, Nikki Simmons of Tienda de Reyes and Joe Kates of Old Town Jerky & Root Beer, pose with visitors. Photo by Chris Stone
Fallen Officer J.D. de Guzman’s photo (right) was among those in an altar to those who died in the line of duty. Photo by Chris Stone
Thousands visited Old Town for the Dia de los Muertos celebration. Photo by Chris Stone
Thousands visited Old Town to take part in the Dia de los Muertos. Photo by Chris Stone
Passers-by pay tribute to loved ones by writing their names of sticks in Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
Visitors wrote loved ones’ names at a memorial at a Dia de los Muertos event at Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of Donate Life San Diego scatter marigold petals to attract the spirits of organ donors. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of Donate Life San Diego scatter marigold petals to attract the spirits of organ donors. Photo by Chris Stone
Kate, 7, (left) and Emma, 4, of San Diego have their faces painted for Dia de los Muertos. Photo by Chris Stone
An altar is set up to honor fallen police officers. Photo by Chris Stone
Thousands visited Old Town to take part in the Dia de los Muertos celebration. Photo by Chris Stone
Ballet Folklorico Real de San Diego performed at a Dia de los Muertos in Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
An altar was set up to honor the late actor Adam West at Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
A girl tosses a flower as Ballet Folklorico performs at Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
A young girl was one of many adults and children who had their faces painted for Dia de los Muertos. Photo by Chris Stone
An altar was set up to honor the late actor Adam West at Old Town. Photo by Chris Stone
