The 24th annual Day of the Dead Festival in downtown Longmont brought together over 6,000 people to celebrate Mexican culture, traditional music, and remembrance of lost family members. The festival, hosted by the Longmont Museum, is the longest-running Day of the Dead celebration in Colorado. Event coordinator Alejandro Rodriguez highlighted the importance of the holiday in bringing the community together to celebrate and learn about Mexican culture.
With Longmont’s Hispanic population growing to nearly 30%, the festival serves as a way for the community to connect and share their culture with others. Marta Loachamin, one of the original creators of the festival and the first Latino Boulder County commissioner, emphasized the importance of inclusivity and authenticity in cultural celebrations.
Attendees like Hugo Esquibel and Laura Silva, who have been participating in the festival for 12 years, expressed pride in sharing their culture and traditions with others. The festival serves as a way to educate the community about the true meaning of Dia de los Muertos and to prevent the memory of lost loved ones from fading.
The Day of the Dead Festival in Longmont continues to grow each year, showcasing the richness of Mexican culture and traditions to a diverse audience. As the festival expands, organizers and participants alike are committed to preserving the authenticity and meaning behind the holiday for all to appreciate and learn from.
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Photo credit denvergazette.com