Image designed by Dennis Dean.

For Councilmember Lena Gonzalez, visiting Mexico often on Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with her abuelita offered her insight into her culture and allowed her to celebrate the lives of past family members.

After witnessing Long Beach residents going out of town, to places like Los Angeles and the South Bay, to celebrate Day of the Dead, she said she decided to bring an event to Downtown Long Beach this weekend.

“With our city’s Latino and Hispanic population at 40.8%, this is a great opportunity to have a celebration in our own backyard,” Gonzalez said. “This is the beginning of a tradition I hope to share with the community every year.”

The event will include an altar contest, face painting and cultural presentations, as well as live music. There will also be a beer garden hosted by Agaves Bar and Kress Market, as well as good vendors.

The celebration will take place November 1 from 2PM to 10PM along Pine Ave. between 6th and 8th Streets. Free parking for two hours is available at City Place, located at 50 E. Sixth Street.

{FG_GEOMAP [33.7741205,-118.19239190000002] FG_GEOMAP}