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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 15 November 2019 15 November 2019

Silver City Museum Ofrenda Procession 110219

Photos by Sandra Michaud

The third day of the Día de los Muertos celebrations, November 2, is known as All Souls Day, the time when the souls of the beloved are said to cross the veil and visit their loved ones. Altars, or ofrendas, are created; traditional Día de los Muertos decorations such as skulls, marigolds and candles are combined with the deceased’s favorite things.

Saturday afternoon, around 20 people went with Margaret “Chickie” Beltran, and her apprentice Nena Benavidez to visit 11 sites around Silver City where people have set up ofrendas in memory of loved ones. They blessed the various ofrendas and Angelica Padilla sang at each one.

One of the sites, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, had set up an ofrenda on the steps. A trail of chalk marigolds led up the steps to it and visitors were handed a card, which said, “This Ofrenda is made in memory of children who have died seeking refuge among us.”

When the group returned to the Museum, Nena Benavidez talked about the ofrenda, which was dedicated to the memory of Johnny Banks, who was a well-known figure around Silver City.

The Silver City Museum hosted a party in the courtyard, with hot chocolate and Pan de Muertos, face painting and music, and as it grew dark, a screening of the movie “Coco.”