Many generations came out to see their roots on display at the Uptown Whittier Día De Los Muertos festival on Oct. 13.
The parking lots were packed and the streets even more with the myriad of cultures from many different backgrounds with a curiosity to learn more about the LatinX culture.
Foods, both traditional and the modern, take on dishes near and dear to people’s hearts, such as the concha cupcake made after taking the famous concha sweetbread and making it personal.
Having seen the artwork from Jose Pulido of Mis Nopales, there was quite a variety of items for purchase from something as simple as stickers, a pin or a shirt.
Asking Pulido how long he has been at the festival selling his wares, he was moving quickly and answering like a true multitasker.
“Well this is my first year out here as a vendor, but as an attendee, I have been several times.
“I went to Santa Fe High School, so this is great to see some new faces, as well as some who come out to the events regularly and get to become familiar with them,” Pulido said.
The crowd was quite the sight, seeing food vendors to the left and to the right there are “Catrinas” posing for pictures with the kids.
There were quite a few beautiful classic cars that were seen in Lowrider magazines.
Dia de Los Muertos is a special celebration in Hispanic Culture in which the living celebrate and remember the dead. Family and friends put their passed loved ones portraits on display.
James Hart, on what the inspiration for them being out there was, said, “Well the club I’m with, the Suicide Kings, was here last year and we had a good time with friends and family that we decided we would come back.”
“The kids love to be out here dressed up for the event. That’s my daughter and that’s her friend all dressed up,” Hart said.
When asked about which one was his, Hart pointed and said, “The blue Continental is mine and I have an altar set up on the hood for my grandma, my wife’s grandma, one of my friends who has passed and JFK because he was shot in a 1963 Continental.”
On what the day means to him personally, he said, “Growing up in Stanton, you learn of the day’s importance and how it helps bring closer the bonds between the community.
Hart hopes by the sixth grade, his daughter will be able to speak fluently in Spanish and be able to write eloquently as well in both English and Spanish.
It’s possible to learn a lot by simply asking someone a question. It’s okay to start a conversation and it might lead to more curiosity so, [ask away],” Pulido said.
