Dia De Los Muertos at the Garden

A solo Ballet Folklorico Jalisciense dancer twirled and danced to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos at the Garden.

Latin fusion music was delivered by Los Rumberos at the Performance Lawn.

The iconic Calavera Catrina by Mexican artist Ricardo Soltero.

Pan de Muerto, a sweet bread specialty of Garibaldi Mexican Grill and Bakery in East Naples, tempted guests.

An Ofrenda by PACE Center for Girls Collier at Immokalee in memory of former Pace Girls, Staff and Volunteers.

The Ballet Folklorico Jalisciense Dancers. The traditional vibrant costumes represent various regions of Mexico.

Posted Thursday, November 7, 2024 3:49 pm

The iconic female skeleton sculptures known as La Catrina greeted visitors strolling the grounds at the Naples Botanical Garden on Saturday, November 2 for a weekend celebration of Dia de los Muertos. In 2023, artist Ricardo Soltero brought to the Garden eight larger-than-life La Calavera Catrina and after the exhibit was over, four smiling fancy hat Calavera Catrina stayed behind.

Dia de los Muertos is a special Mexican cultural holiday remembering and celebrating the memories of loved ones. The Garden came alive with music, folk dances, baked goods and food along with native speakers from parents to abuelas and abuelitas (grandmothers) and grandchildren, all sampling the traditions of the Mexican culture.

Garibaldi Mexican Grill and Bakery of East Naples had a kiosk offering variations of the traditional pan de muerto, an indispensable sweet bread during the weekend celebration. This brioche-style egg bread is decorated with a circle and bones to mimic the shape of a skull and cross bones and sprinkled with dusting of sugar.

Also popular from Garibaldi was Horchata, a popular rice-based drink that is another Mexican specialty and a perfect drink on a hot summer day. It’s made with ground white rice, flavored with cinnamon and sweetened with sugar. Blended all together, it’s a smooth, rich and refreshing smoothie. and blended together making a smooth and rich refreshing smoothie.

Taco Tummy, specializing in Mexican food catering served up their specialty of authentic tacos on with fresh corn tortillas.

The contagious Latin Music was delivered by Los Rumberos and entertained visitors at the Performance Lawn along with the Ballet Folklorico Dancers featuring vibrant traditional costumes and dances from various regions of Mexico.

Inside Kapnick Hall was the Community Viewing Altar and Memory Ofrenda honoring departed loved ones. The viewing altars looked like market stalls filled with fruits and vases of golden marigolds, usually referred to as “flowers of the dead” (flor de muerto). It is believed that the scent of these bright orange flowers helps attract souls to the altar. Calavera, a representation of a skull or skeleton, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Dia de los Muertos, symbolizing departed souls.

Papel Picado, decorations made of perforated tissue paper (now they are made of plastic), are another symbol decorating the altar, doorways or archways. According to traditional lore, the holes allow a way for souls to travel through and visit.

On the altar, you might see salt and glasses of water to quench the thirst of the souls and also help purify them.

These community organizations had viewing altars at Kapnick Hall:

Guadalupe Center, Boys and Girls Club of Collier County, Coalition of Immokalee Workers Fighting for Fair Food, Naples Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity, and Pace Center for Girls Collier at Immokalee.

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