Old Jail to host family festival Saturday
By Melinda L. Lucas
The cultural traditions of el Día de los Muertos will be celebrated at the Old Jail Art Center for the 15th year with a free family festival for all ages, featuring an Ofrenda honoring people who have been important to the museum.
The event is set for Saturday, Oct. 29 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
“This colorful and joyous event is an opportunity for local families to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones and ancestors,” said Erin Whitmore, director of education at the Old Jail.
This year, festival-goers will create traditionally inspired crafts including papel picado luminarias, marigold castanets, and sugar-skull wind-socks.
“They will enjoy our marigold planting station, a visit from Lady Catrina, face-painting, and traditional games such as Loteria and a piñata,” said Whitmore.
After sampling treats such as elotes and pan de muerto, families may also take a virtual scavenger hunt via their cell phones to investigate ancient artifacts from the museum study collection.
It is expected that, weather permitting, some festivities such as a piñata, will be held outside on the grounds and courtyard at the museum. The rest of the activities will be in the Stasney Center for Education.
Participants should enter through the front gate.
The festival will be decorated with student artwork from the museum’s school outreach program that serves K-12 campuses throughout Region 14.
OJAC Ofrenda
Also on display in the Stasney Center will be a special Ofrenda created by OJAC staff during the last few weeks.
An Ofrenda is a colorful memorial often created by families during Day of the Dead festivities.
“These memorials celebrate the unique lives of loved ones who have passed away,” Whitmore said.
The Old Jail’s Ofrenda honors friends of the museum lost over the past few years.
All visitors to the museum are invited to add their own Sugar-Skull to the display, with personal words and drawings in tribute of someone they have loved and lost.
