Cerritos College held its 70th anniversary Dia de los Muertos: Noche con la Familia, welcoming families to participate in creating ofrendas- altars- all types of art, a live DJ, vendors and a movie screening on Nov. 7.
“This year’s theme, ‘Noche con la Familia,’ celebrates community and shared traditions. We’re honoring the memory of loved ones while creating space for reflection, joy, and heartfelt acknowledgment of those who paved the way for many of us,” Vanessa Salas, event coordinator, said.
Salas touched on the meaning of the 70th anniversary Dia de los Muertos: Noche con la Familia celebration.
The event focused on honoring loved ones who have passed and celebrating the beauty of life, culture and remembrance.
Event goer Sam Bravo, an anthropology major, was attending the event in honor of loved ones and their love for the culture.
She was at the event with her classmates and celebrating Dia de los Muertos like she does yearly.
“This event is definitely a way for me to connect posthumously and be more connected to the campus,” she said.
One of the vendors that drew in event goers was Fresca Signature Flavors, owned by Rene Pulido.
His business is known for the unique signature flavors that are elevated from traditional agua frescas.
“Our waters fit in with the theme of the night and are inspired by the Hispanic culture, especially the café de olla,” he said.
“Customers are impressed with our signature flavors, not a typical agua fresca by itself, that we have mixes and natural ingredients,” he added.
Fresca Signature Flavors specializes in unique, premium aguas frescas crafted with 100% real organic fruits, superfoods and alkaline water.
Another vendor and organization was Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx De Aztlan Service Club, with their booth raising money in hopes of going to a conference in Texas by selling conchas, café de olla, buttons and homemade scrunchies.
“We participated in this event because Dia de los Muertos is a very prominent celebration in their culture,” the president of the club, Monica Palacios, a psychology and sociology major, said.
“We are out here because we want to promote our culture. We are not what the current establishment paints us out to be, and we are very educated and hardworking; we just want to be a part of the people,” she added.
Kevin Vasquez, a business administration major, touched on what he appreciated about these types of events and his personal experience.
Vasquez said, “I just appreciate everybody’s creativity. I like seeing how everyone taps into their culture and makes me feel like connected to my own culture. Also, just appreciative that the school lets us do something like this.”
People expressing their love for their culture encouraged others to express their own love.
This year’s event will help raise funds through the Cerritos College Foundation to support scholarships for the Puente and Undocu student communities.
The event was a place where people could immerse themselves in the traditional culture and the remembrance of loved ones.
Many participated in creating the ofrendas and watching the Dia de los Muertos-inspired Disney movie, “Coco”.
This 70th anniversary “Noche con la Familia” celebration highlighted Cerritos College’s commitment to cultural celebration and remembrance while raising money for scholarships for its Puente and Undocu student communities.
