10/25-26: Day of the Dead celebration in Flagstaff

The Day of the Dead is a colorful, happy way to honor those who have died. The Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff celebrates this tradition with its 11th annual Celebraciones de la Gente festival this weekend.

"The festival is a joyous celebration that conveys the belief that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life," said Linda Martin, heritage-program manager at the museum. "It is a way for the community and families to honor those who have departed and transform grief into music, dance, art and a celebration of life."

Cristen Crujido, marketing manager for the museum, said there will be artistic workshops for all ages and a community altar that museum visitors can contribute to.

"What's really neat about the altar is that members of the community bring something — a memento, a photograph, something that reminds them of a relative who has passed on — and then we invite them to put that on the community altar upon entry of the museum," she said.

The celebration will include such performers as Mariachi Sol Azteca from Tucson, In Tlanextli Tlacopan Aztec fire dancers from Mexico City and Ballet Folklórico de Colores from Flagstaff. Traditional food will be available throughout the festival.

Artists and scholars will discuss traditions and current issues in the Latino community.

At 1 p.m. both days, historians Mark O'Hare and Maureen Kirk-Detberner will give a presentation called "The Wilbur-Cruce Colonial Spanish Horse: Arizona's First Horse." It coincides with the museum's "Trappings of the American West" exhibition and sale, which features art and functional items by 80 Western artists. The exhibit runs through Dec. 7.

Celebraciones de la Gente

When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25-26.

Where: Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff.

Admission: $6-$10; free for age 9 or younger.

Details: 928-774-5213, musnaz.org.