The holiday season has arrived, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner, coming on the heels of many Day of the Dead – Día de los Muertos – festivities, which are lasting longer every year.
One of the most popular local Day of the Dead observances was held last week at San Fernando High School (SFHS), which launched its annual festival in 2022. The meaningful event honors deceased loved ones with ofrendas (altars), calacas (skeletons),people dressed as catrinas (female skeletons in fine clothing), music, art installations, dancers and traditional blessings. It also presents musical performances by students from SFHS and other neighboring schools.
“Witnessing students bring this beautiful tradition to life at our festival resonated deeply with me,” said SFHS music teacher Sergio “Checo” Alonso, Ph.D., who directed the musical entertainment for the event. “It was a beautiful reminder of the power of music, dance and cultural traditions [that] connect us to our roots and keep our ancestral heritage alive.”
“Seeing the students get really excited about building different elements of [the celebration] – whether it’s decorating the space, the stage, getting ready [to perform] the music – that’s my favorite thing,” said Jacqueline Torres, department chair for SFHS. “I’m always moved by that.”
Torres said it’s important to have cultural events that reflect the local community.
This past weekend at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, giant-sized calacas were placed throughout the grounds and people sat at the graves of their beloved ones that were covered in cempohualxochitl (marigolds). They held a mass and blessing of the altars, followed by a celebration with community altars, food, music, folklórico dancers and kids’ activities.
Holiday Events
As Thanksgiving approaches, people can sign up to do a fun run for a good cause. Hope the Mission is presenting its annual “Drumstick Dash,” a 5K and 10K at 9 a.m. on Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood to raise funds to assist unhoused people in Los Angeles County.
Community members can also donate toys for the holidays via the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Devonshire PALS Toy Drive, which accepts donations through Dec. 7.
People can start planning for local holiday events, including the Holiday Tree Lighting event in Downtown San Fernando, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
To learn more and sign up for the Drumstick Dash, go to: www.runsignup.com/Race/CA/NorthHollywood/DrumstickDashLA.
For PALS Toy Drive information, go to: www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1543818294443893&set=pb.100064472118556.-2207520000.
For information about the Holiday Tree Lighting in the City of San Fernando, go to: www.sanfernando.gov/Parks-Recreation/Events/Holiday-Tree-Lighting.