Music, dancing, and fun at Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event

Photo No. 1 - Music and dancing were the highlights of Saturday’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration in Green River

(Sweetwater County, Wyo. - October 17, 2024)    On Saturday, over 170 people attended the 2024 Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration at Clock Tower Park in Green River.  The Sweetwater County Historical Museum partnered with Bridges for Community & Unity to create this year’s event.

Día de los Muertos is a holiday for honoring the dead. While it originated in Mexico, it is now celebrated in many Latin American countries. Celebrants create ofrendas (a display of offerings) using items such as flowers, food, and photos, along with photographs of loved ones who have passed on. Typically, Día de los Muertos begins on October 31 and lasts through November 2. Each year, the museum creates its own ofrenda, which is open to the public. Community members are encouraged to participate by leaving a non-food offering and/or pictures of those who have passed away.

Food and refreshments were served, and the event was highlighted by singing and Hispanic dance performances by local artists and children.

Museum Executive Director Dave Mead and his staff expressed their special thanks and appreciation to the many people who supported or participated in the event; many were young Girl Scouts who also performed as dancers. Among them was Hannah, Cecilia, Bella, Desi, Kyla, Ingrid, Swazie, Paziely, Sophia, Emberly, Jordan, Kenzley, Grayson, Octavia, Emery, Abraham, Kenny, and Colson. (Girl Scout policy proscribes publication of children’s last names.) Also working in support or performing were Brenna Kirsch and her family, Katherine Skinner, Errin Huntingon and family, Jennifer Wilkinson and family, Chelsie Kirts and family, Mikaela Goicoechea, Mercedes Ball and family, and the Romero-Adkins family. Girl Scout Troop 1548 prepared crafts for booths, Girl Scout Troop 1322 made decorations and both Girl Scout Troop 1998 and 1932 served as booth volunteers. Girl Scout Troop 1246 Prepared crafts, ran booths, and performed in the show.

Mead said Victor Hiler of State Farm Insurance in Rock Springs provided the event’s soft drinks, and the Pan De Muerto pastries came from Panaderia Los 3 Nietos, also of Rock Springs.

Check out this year's ofrenda - and the many other exhibits - at the Sweetwater County Historical Museum. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and there is no charge for admission.