The Muckenthaler started their Dia de Los Muertos celebration early this year with their own Day of the Dead Festival that took place on Thursday.
This year the festival was especially family-friendly because they combined their annual Teen Festival into the evening.
“The Teen Festival is a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, and they would’ve brought a bunch of kids here, but they have something else going on tonight,” said Zoot Velasco, executive director of the Muck.
Velasco said he expected the turnout to be less than past years. However, that didn’t mean that the activities and entertainment would be any less.
The festival featured live music all evening from a variety of artists, including an all kid band, “Silver Bullet”, who took the stage first with modern pop like hits.
Also featured on the lineup was Grammy nominated Latin group Trio Ellas, and Sean Ulio from La Voz Kids.
“Sean Ulio was the second runner up on The Voice Mexico and he’s an amazing mariachi singer,” Velasco said.
While listening to the bands play, festival goers could play Bocce ball in the courtyard while making their way over to the children’s area. The children’s area of the event featured crafts such as Papel Picado, 3-D paper flowers, alter making and sugar skulls.
Along the courtyard, there were several vendors lined up along the sidewalk. The Boys and Girls Club had some finger foods available being sold by The Boy Scouts.
Rowan Harrison was one of the participants with his hand made pottery on display.
“This is what I teach in my class”, Harrison said, “We have a ceramics program here at the Muck for adults and kids”.
Harrison added that he started his passion for ceramics at Fullerton College and it has led him to teach classes here at the Muckenthaler.
There weren’t’ many people dressed up or with their faces painted for Day of the Dead, but the festival brought in a parking lot full of people looking to enjoy the Latin culture.
Gloria Kam, whom attended the event for the first time, arrived at the festival with a couple friends checking out the different art featured.
“The kids couldn’t make it so I brought my friends,” Kam said.“I’m a Spanish teacher and I was trying to bring my whole class but there’s a school concert tonight.”
The festival had some competition from other local events held the same night, like Fullerton College’s annual Dia de Los Muertos event and .
According to Velasco the Muck may not have the festival next year due to funding the free event and the way the calendar works with Day of the Dead since all their events are on Thursdays.
“It’s just fun,