The Museum of Ventura County invites community members to participate in activities during a week-long celebration of Día de los Muertos, Saturday, Oct. 23-Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St., Ventura, and Agriculture Museum of Santa Paula, 926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula.
On tap are Day of the Dead craft kits for kids, build-your-own altars, live music, poetry, refreshments and food trucks. For complete event information, visit venturamuseum.org/events.
“Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a time-honored tradition brought to us through the Mexican culture where families honor the lives of departed relatives,” said Elena Brokaw, the Barbara Barnard Smith executive director. “We’re pleased to bring this celebration to our community and encourage everyone to come experience the sights, sounds and traditions.”
The Día de los Muertos celebration opens on Oct. 23 with family friendly Day of the Dead Craft Kits available at both museum locations while supplies last through Oct. 31.
The interactive learning kits include lessons about Día de los Muertos, a mini skull book, Calavera necklace craft, Ofrenda word search, and a letter to the dead.
Altar creations run Oct. 24-29. Guests are encouraged to bring personal contributions such as mementos, photos, and other creative crafts to be included in both large outdoor altar displays at the Ventura and Santa Paula museums. Items donated to the public alter are nonreturnable. Copies of original pieces are suggested.
The large outdoor altars can be viewed from Oct. 30-Nov. 7 at both museums.
Those preferring to participate from home can submit images of their personal altars for online viewing at submissions@venturamuseum.org or post to social media and use hashtag #CelebrateWithMVC or
#CelebrandoConMVC on social media.
The Día de los Muertos celebration concludes with afternoon events. The Museum of Ventura County will host a celebration, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, honoring the lives of loved ones through music from Xocoyotzin Moraza and friends, poetry, altar viewings, refreshments, and food for purchase provided by Game Over Catering and Desserts to Die For.
In Santa Paula, the Agriculture Museum afternoon events will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 31, with performances from traditional Aztec and Ballet folkloric dancers, Day of the Dead tissue flower folding, and additional craft tables.
To volunteer at these community events, create an altar of your own, or collaborate, contact ebrokaw@venturamuseum.org.
Día de los Muertos programming at the Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum are made possible in part by the support of EJ Harrison & Sons.