Muertos y Marigolds
Dia de los Muertos in South Valley
Dia de los Muertos in South Valley, no te olvidas. Muertos y Marigolds. You won’t forget. This local Albuquerque Day of the Dead celebration brings droves of burqueños out onto the main street of Isleta Boulevard, faces painted, calaveras, dressed up in marigolds to celebrate death with art and remember the dead.
All the colors of fall come together out there on the streets of South Valley that first weekend in November. The noises of masses mixed in with yellow and golden-orange hues moving across up and down the boulevard is spectacular to view. Tricked out lowrider bikes ride by under tall skeleton muertos marionettes sometimes waving “¡hola!” Faces, faces, and more faces, painted, so many faces painted dead white and colored in decorative black lines with deep black eyes.
The South Valley Marigold Procession, the parade, is first and foremost the spectacle not to miss. But the beauty of this celebration is much in preparation, in the kitchens and other rooms of the homes de los que celebran. That involves painting each others faces as calaveras, or skulls, which can take as much time as you want. Marigolds do not grow overnight and stitch themselves into strands, a reminder of this time of year and the bounty of labors. Ofrendas are prepared together by the living for the dead.
* * *
Muertos y Marigolds takes place on Isleta Blvd in South Valley, SW Albuquerque, usually that first weekend of November on Sunday.
The event includes several hours of prelude and activities as attendees pack in, and many vendors offer folk art from local crafters at the park near the Gutiérrez-Hubbell house. Additionally there are food vendors in the parking lot. In the Gutiérrez-Hubbell house are fun activities, workshops, and ofrendas.
The Marigold Parade for 2022 will consist of a walking, non-motorized Procession at the Gutiérrez-Hubbell house in the South Valley. The theme for this year is, “¡Escucha! ¡La Lucha No Es Mañana! What is Your Fight??”
Here are the details from their website:
2022 South Valley Marigold Procession and Celebration
¡Escucha! ¡La Lucha No Es Mañana!
What is Your Fight??
November 6, 2022 1:00PM
Gutiérrez-Hubble House
6029 Isleta Blvd SW
It is basically impossible to drive to this event, you will be parking and walking. Biking is best if possible but dismount for crowds, lock up and walk. Weather is important as any bad weather can make things rough.
More info online at https://muertosymarigolds.org/ and from social media accounts Muertos y Marigolds. There are many workshops leading up to Dia de los Muertos to attend, mostly for the different types of craft art you see.
Not to forget, this day is about remembrance. I post these photos and words in honor of my Grandma, who I am so happy to remember. Here is a picture from perhaps the most fun photo shoot I’ll ever do, with my mom staging and Wynona smiling. Our ofrenda will always have sweet dolls and beautiful desserts for you. Te amos.
