Downtown Alpena invites you to our first-annual Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration on Saturday, November 2, 2024, hosted by Mango's Tequila Bar, Thunder Bay Arts, and the Alpena DDA. Join us for a day full of activities at Northern Michigan's only Day of the Dead celebration!
Schedule of Activities
12- 2 pm: Kids Activities
Bring the kids for special activities in the alleyway (behind Mango's/ between 2nd and 3rd Ave), including face painting, a coloring contest, and more.
12- 9 pm: Ofrendas on Display
Stroll the alleyway and enjoy ofrendas on display in the alleyway created by local organizations and businesses. Ofrendas are elaborately decorated altars adorned with offerings that are meaningful and symbolic to welcome the lives of those dearly departed back to the earthly realm. Vote your favorite- we'll make a $250 donation to the non-profit of the winner's choice. Sponsored by Neighborhood Provisions. Learn more about participating here.
Stop by St. Bernard's Church (324 W Chisholm St) to view their community ofrenda. Bring a photo of a loved one to contribute.
1-3:30 pm: Skull Painting Class at PIF Cider
Decorate your own skull to take home at PIF Cider (205 W Chisholm St). They'll provide plastic skulls, glue guns, puffy paint, glitter paint, bedazzling jewels, and amazing deals on cider for class participants. $25/person includes all materials for two painted skulls you'll take home. Purchase tickets here.
4- 5 pm: La Catrina Costume Contest Check-In
Come in costume for a chance to win up to $500 in prizes! Those entering La Catrina costume contest will need to check in behind Mango's Tequila Bar with our panel of judges. Costumes judged for detail, creativity, and makeup. Scroll down for photo inspiration. Winners announced at 5 pm.
Prizes include:
5- 9 pm: Live Mariachi Music in the Alleyway
Enjoy live music from Jalisco de Detroit in the alleyway behind Mango's. Grab a Social District drink while you enjoy live mariachi music and the alleyway decorated for the night to celebrate Day of the Dead. Sponsored by Thunder Bay Arts & Mango's Tequila Bar.
7- 8 pm: Gong Bath & Sound Healing Meditation at Joshua Tree Studio & Spa
Sound bath provides the sacred space to deeply rest. This magical meditation soothes the soul and resets the mind. Euphoric and transformational begin to describe this opportunity to release that which no longer serves our highest good. Join Joshua Tree Studio & Spa (112 W. Chisholm St) for this experience. Tickets $30. Learn more and RSVP here.
Bring the kids for special activities in the alleyway (behind Mango's/ between 2nd and 3rd Ave), including face painting, a coloring contest, and more.
12- 9 pm: Ofrendas on Display
Stroll the alleyway and enjoy ofrendas on display in the alleyway created by local organizations and businesses. Ofrendas are elaborately decorated altars adorned with offerings that are meaningful and symbolic to welcome the lives of those dearly departed back to the earthly realm. Vote your favorite- we'll make a $250 donation to the non-profit of the winner's choice. Sponsored by Neighborhood Provisions. Learn more about participating here.
Stop by St. Bernard's Church (324 W Chisholm St) to view their community ofrenda. Bring a photo of a loved one to contribute.
1-3:30 pm: Skull Painting Class at PIF Cider
Decorate your own skull to take home at PIF Cider (205 W Chisholm St). They'll provide plastic skulls, glue guns, puffy paint, glitter paint, bedazzling jewels, and amazing deals on cider for class participants. $25/person includes all materials for two painted skulls you'll take home. Purchase tickets here.
4- 5 pm: La Catrina Costume Contest Check-In
Come in costume for a chance to win up to $500 in prizes! Those entering La Catrina costume contest will need to check in behind Mango's Tequila Bar with our panel of judges. Costumes judged for detail, creativity, and makeup. Scroll down for photo inspiration. Winners announced at 5 pm.
Prizes include:
- 1st place- $250 Mango's gift certificate & $250 Downtown Dollars
- 2nd place- $100 Mango's gift certificate & $100 Downtown Dollars
- 3rd place- $50 Mango's gift certificate & $50 Downtown Dollars
5- 9 pm: Live Mariachi Music in the Alleyway
Enjoy live music from Jalisco de Detroit in the alleyway behind Mango's. Grab a Social District drink while you enjoy live mariachi music and the alleyway decorated for the night to celebrate Day of the Dead. Sponsored by Thunder Bay Arts & Mango's Tequila Bar.
7- 8 pm: Gong Bath & Sound Healing Meditation at Joshua Tree Studio & Spa
Sound bath provides the sacred space to deeply rest. This magical meditation soothes the soul and resets the mind. Euphoric and transformational begin to describe this opportunity to release that which no longer serves our highest good. Join Joshua Tree Studio & Spa (112 W. Chisholm St) for this experience. Tickets $30. Learn more and RSVP here.
This event is made possible through the support of the following organizations:
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Learn More about our Day of the Day Celebration
What is Day of the Dead?
Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration filled with music, dancing, art, food, and family activities. It is a day of celebration, particularly for the people in Mexico and Central America, and for many Mexican Americans in the United States. It is a day to honor and commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and to welcome the return of their spirit to the earthly realm. Day of the Dead is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. You can learn more here.
Who is La Catrina, and how can I participate in the costume contest?
La Catrina is one of the most widely recognizable symbols of Dia de Los Muertos. Catrina is a work of art, created by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada as a satire of the social situation in Mexico in 1910. Famous artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, immortalized La Catrina in one of his murals that depicts 400 years of Mexican history. Now, women across the world paint their faces in colorful make-up and dress with elegant outfits evoking the famous symbolic skeleton. Here are some inspiration photos! Enter our costume & makeup contest for the chance to win three top prizes. Learn more about La Catrina here.
Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration filled with music, dancing, art, food, and family activities. It is a day of celebration, particularly for the people in Mexico and Central America, and for many Mexican Americans in the United States. It is a day to honor and commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and to welcome the return of their spirit to the earthly realm. Day of the Dead is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. You can learn more here.
Who is La Catrina, and how can I participate in the costume contest?
La Catrina is one of the most widely recognizable symbols of Dia de Los Muertos. Catrina is a work of art, created by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada as a satire of the social situation in Mexico in 1910. Famous artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, immortalized La Catrina in one of his murals that depicts 400 years of Mexican history. Now, women across the world paint their faces in colorful make-up and dress with elegant outfits evoking the famous symbolic skeleton. Here are some inspiration photos! Enter our costume & makeup contest for the chance to win three top prizes. Learn more about La Catrina here.
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Why are we hosting a Day of the Dead celebration?
Earlier this year, we were chatting with our friends at Mango's Tequila Bar about new event ideas for the fall and winter seasons. The owners of Mango's are from Mexico and have travelled to enjoy Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the US and Mexico. Seeing their photos, we knew this would be a unique and meaningful event to host downtown by partnering with Mango's and Thunder Bay Arts.
Earlier this year, we were chatting with our friends at Mango's Tequila Bar about new event ideas for the fall and winter seasons. The owners of Mango's are from Mexico and have travelled to enjoy Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the US and Mexico. Seeing their photos, we knew this would be a unique and meaningful event to host downtown by partnering with Mango's and Thunder Bay Arts.
