El Centro NW hosts Día de los Muertos celebration
Published 10:11 pm Tuesday, October 28, 2025
A mission of El Centro NW, a non-profit organization serving the Hispanic communities of Clatsop and Pacific Counties, is to educate people about Latin American culture. The organization is hosting a Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead celebration 1p.m. – 7 p.m. on Sat. Nov. 1 at the Barbey Maritime Center in Astoria, 2042 Marine Dr. The event is free and open to the public.
Rocío Lizárraga Simmons, from El Centro NW’s Board explained the significance. “The holiday is honoring loved ones who have passed. It’s an ancient tradition celebrated mostly in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia,” she said. “We want to share this beautiful tradition of celebrating life in a way that makes people want to remember their loved ones too by creating their own traditions.”
Día de los Muertos, is a multi day holiday that pays homage to loved ones who have passed. Families create “ofrendas “(altars) elaborately and lovingly decorated with their loved ones’ favorite foods, drinks, belongings and other offerings which includes decorating grave sites of deceased family members with candles, flowers and other items. The tradition combines modern influences with ancient Aztec traditions around the belief that spirits of the dead return to visit the living.
The event will include an altar building contest (see info box for sign up information), a Día de los Muertos costume contest, a family history booth, traditional foods, and all ages craft tables. The event will feature live performances of music by Ilwaco High School’s Mariachi Oro y Azul and dancing by El Centro’s Folklórico Dance Group “Mestizo.”
This is the third year hosting this event for El Centro NW. Lizárraga Simmons added “we’re thrilled to bring our community together once again for this meaningful celebration of life and remembrance. Día de los Muertos is a time to reflect, honor our loved ones, and celebrate our cultural heritage.”
• • •
Día de Muertos Celebration
El Centro NW
1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday Nov. 1
Barbey Maritime Center, 2042 Marine Drive, in Astoria
Free, family friendly event
For more information visit: elcentronw.org
To participate in the altar or costume contest, call
El Centro’s NW office: (971) 414-7270 to sign up
