Many elements of the traditional Mexican celebration have become recognizable and popular in main-stream media, especially the painted skeletal faces and costumes worn.

 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Sweeping colorful skirts, sunken skulls and fantastically bright colors filled Daddow Park in Gridley, Sunday Nov. 2 for the 5th annual Dia de Los Muertos (DDLM) celebration.

The traditional Mexican holiday regularly held over Nov. 1 and 2 is a lively celebration of the dead, honoring lost loved ones.

Gridley’s Dia de Los Muertos celebration was founded partly in response to the COVID-19 epidemic that tore through our nation. Despite smaller populations, our communities were hit hard with the virus, especially the Latino population, according to Gridley City Councilmember Angel Calderon, who helped establish and continues to promote the event.

Returning to Daddow Park for its 5th anniversary, Dia de Los Muertos 2025 was a stunning event that transcended language barriers and cultures.

The beautiful colored skirts of these dancers swirled on the stage just after they posed for a photo. 

Many elements of the traditional Mexican celebration have become recognizable and popular in main-stream media, especially the painted skeletal faces and costumes worn, or Las Catrinas.  The Catrinas styling, typically a woman dressed in beautiful garb with ornate skeletal face painting, is a reference to death as the great equalizer, despite gender or status.

Catrina’s circulated throughout the crowd and members of the public took it upon themselves to dress up in the style as week.

The Daddow Park Gazebo was the focal point of the event, with an ornate and glowing oferenda. Large handmade alebrijes, or spirit animals that facilitate and guide the soul in the afterlife, were created by local artist Lucia Chavez, and were featured on the communal tribute to the deceased.

The community was invited to bring photos of their lost loved ones or families, to be celebrated together in the stunningly colorful, yet solemn, tribute.

Lucia Chavez, a board member and organizer of the event.

Throughout the event other symbolism could be seen. A giant sugar skull and Monarch butterfly sculptures met guests at the entrance and were popular photos destinations.

Caldaron shares that the monarch butterfly is believed to symbolize the spirits of the dead returning for the Dia de Los Muertos and happens to coincide with the arrival of the monarch butterfly migration to Mexico City during the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations.

Gridley’s celebration began early at 3 p.m. and ran into the evening hours, filled with performances from musicians and dancers.

Due to the sacred nature of the event, it was begun with a blessing and ceremony.

Standing in a circle, Calderon directed members of the organizing committee as they performed a candle lighting ceremony “En Lak’ech”, a nod to Mayan heritage. Calderon explained to the Herald that “En Lak’ech” translates to “you are my other me,” and during the blessing members ceremoniously light a candle and passed it to each other repeating the words to their neighbor.

The poignant start to the Dia de Los Muertos celebration encouraged all to remember the interconnectedness and unity between us all.

Organizers from the event are from left are Catalina Sanchez, William Fermin, Norma Lacy, Maria Salgado, Alicia Cardona, Beatriz Ramirez, Lucia Chavez, Martha Magaña and Briana Chavez.

The following program brought with it historical cultural dances such as the “Baile de los viejitos” or “dance of the old men”, the Williams Mariachi band composed of high school musicians, folkloric ballet from many dancers and vocals from local singers.

Gridley’s Barefoot Dance Company also performed, performing a modern routine and a group dance to “La Llorona,” further uniting the community.

In addition to the entertainment, food and community resources were found throughout the event, with representatives from North Valley Catholic services (NVCC) and First Five California, local response agencies such as Gridley Fire Department/CAL FIRE/Butte County, and Ampla Health, to name a few.

The festivities were capped off with the announcement of the Las Catrinas contest and the colorful evening of honor and love ended until the next installation.

 These sweet Catrina's would enter the Catrina's contest and light up the event with their spirit.