La Casa de Amistad celebrates Dia de Los Muertos with 2nd annual festival

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- La Casa de Amistad held their 2nd annual Dia de Los Muertos Family Festival.

The festival invited the community and families to learn and celebrate the culture behind Dia de Los Muertos.

"We have been looking forward to celebrating with families more than anything to acknowledge the tradition that has been existing for decades or centuries," said Dara Marquez, Director of Community Engagement.

Marquez also said its important for future generations to understand the tradition, "This is one of many sacred spaces that we wanted to build here at La Casa to remember our loved ones and to also be able to share with our future generations what it means to celebrate our ancestors, to celebrate our dead, those that have passed, those that have influenced and impacted our lives and all of our families."

Guests were offered street corn, pan dulce, and got the opportunity to see sculptured alebrijes created by kids in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade.

"We have different partners who are showcasing art pieces or art making, so that we can emphasize what it means to express yourself through art and through music, through dance, and through tradition," said Marquez.

The event allowed the organization to acknowledge the longstanding traditions, "We hope that people take little bits and pieces as we can, but more than anything, to acknowledge that we exist here as Latinos, as immigrants, and that our traditions are meant for the future," said Marquez.