In addition to being All Souls's Day, today is also the Day of the Dead (or Dia de Muertos in Spanish), a very popular Mexican holiday. As with All Saints' Day, the holiday was once a far more ancient festival, celebrated by the Aztecs at the beginning of each summer, and then moved to November 2nd to coincide with the Christian holiday. It is a time for people to remember friends and family who have passed on and to visit their graves with flowers, candles, and even the departed ones favorite foods. Here in Denver it seems like just another excuse to dress up in costume and party. And in fact, there will be a Dia de los Muertos Celebration and Parade through Denver's Santa Fe Arts District during tonight's First Friday Art Walk. The article in the newspaper said to wear your best Catrina attire, which I assume is what the fellow in the photograph on the left is doing. Unfortunately, all my Catrina attire is at the cleaners, but maybe I'll go anyway.
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