Central Avenue is planning a Day of the Dead parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, following a week of celebrations.
The parade will travel from 6th and Central to 16th and Central.
Edgar Galicia, executive director of the Central Avenue Betterment Association, said the Day of the Dead celebration, also known as Dia de Muertos, started Nov. 1 on Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, as several offerings or private altars were created in the Mexican tradition. The celebration of Day of the Dead, an international event, is traditionally around the same time as All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The holiday is celebrated every year in other areas of the world, and it will be the first time it has been celebrated with a parade on Central Avenue, according to Galicia. The event focuses on family and friends who gather to remember friends and family members who have died. Traditionally, items that the deceased had enjoyed are placed at the altars.
Galicia said different points along Central Avenue have offerings or private altars available for viewing. Some of these locations are Chicago’s bar, 534 Central; the Balloon Shop, a party goods store at 541 Central; Marquez Boots, 848 Central; Rip Bravo Super Market, 11 S. 10th St.; Free Wheels for Kids, 1264 Central; Central Avenue Dental, 1320 Central; El Torito Supermart, 1409 Central; Dalia’s Belleza, 798 Central; and Fronteras Super Market, 761 Central.
The offerings will be available for viewing between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. during the four days the event is held, and there will be a contest for the best one.
The closing of the ceremony will be at 3 p.m. Saturday. The event on Nov. 4 will include live music and street vending along the Central Avenue route, Galicia said.
At 4 p.m. there will be live music at four stages, one at 16th Street, one at 10th Street, one at 12th Street and one at 14th Street and Central, he said.
At 5 p.m., an expected 20 floats will line up at 6th and Central for the parade, which starts at 6 p.m., he said. In the Day of the Dead theme, those on the floats will portray joyful souls who come back to parade through the streets. Typically, those in the parade may wear skeleton masks and old-style clothing, he added.
Besides the floats, there will be a fire-eater, a queen of the parade, participating businesses and families, he said.
Galicia said about 3,000 people are expected for the parade Saturday. There will be a lot of parking in the Bethany area near 12th and Central, and there is off-street parking open around the parade, he said. “Bring comfortable shoes, you’re going to be walking,” he added, to visit all the locations of the event.
“There is quite a bit of interest in social media, reaching out to us,” he said. “The majority are coming from our community, but at least 40 percent will be visitors from other parts of the metro,” he added.
“What we want to show the whole metro is our community is coming back, our community is very strong, and we’re very welcoming to everyone in the metro,” Galicia said.
Besides Central Avenue, another Day of the Dead celebration is planned in Kansas City, Kansas, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd St. It is for all ages. An altar will be decorated for loved ones who have died, there will be pan de muerto and refreshments, and performers will sing and dance. There are also craft projects planned.