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This Saturday, Nov. 5, Rainbow Lagoon Park in Downtown Long Beach will be transformed with orange marigolds, colorful altars, live music, art and food for the city’s seventh annual Día de los Muertos festival celebrating the Mexican tradition and honoring the lives of loved ones who have died.
“Our City celebration proudly reflects these longstanding traditions and celebrates the rich culture of our diverse Latino community,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement.
For the first time, the event will kick off with a grand parade at 10 a.m. on Third Street and Pine Avenue. Colorful floats, classic cars, ballet folklórico dancers, Catrinas and Aztec dancers will make their way down Pine Avenue to Shoreline Drive for the festival at Rainbow Lagoon Park, located on Shoreline Drive between Linden Avenue and Shoreline Village Drive.
From Noon to 9:45 p.m., community members can take advantage of live music and performances from Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, Banda La Maravillosa, L.A.-based cumbia band Buyepongo and more.
The Artes and Ofrendas Festival will also feature various traditional food and beverage offerings, face painting, photo-ops and meeting opportunities with Tapatio Hot Sauce’s Mr. Tapatio, El Charro González and La Catrina Andante.
“Día de Los Muertos is deeply rooted in the traditions and cultures of the indigenous communities of Mexico and Latin America,” the city said in a statement. “As family, friends and neighbors continue those traditions in ways that are most meaningful in their lives, the City encourages the entire community to also come together for this grand celebration in downtown Long Beach.”
A full performance schedule and details can be found on the festival website.
On Saturday, Pine Avenue will be closed along the parade route from Shoreline Drive to Seventh Street. Shoreline Drive going west towards Pine will also be closed but will remain open going east towards Ocean Boulevard.
Long Beach Transit will have detours for routes 46, 111, 112, 181, 182, 191 and 192 from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
PHOTOS: Downtown Long Beach explodes with color for Dia de Los Muertos festival