Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

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Flickr is now limiting the number of photos I can have so these will age out in a year or so.

click photo to enlarge		 The Day of the Dead celebration at Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the largest one around and this was their 19th annual event. It went from noon to 1:00 am. They had 4 stages with live music, dancing, parades and events. As a senior citizen if you get there before 4 PM it is free, otherwise admission is $25. Dia De Los Muertos is one of Mexico’s traditional holidays reuniting and honoring beloved ancestors, family and friends. It is an ancient and enduring ritual when the living commune with the dead – a mystical night when the veil is lifted between their two realms and they may share a day together.

click photo to enlarge		 It was a very hot day about 88 degrees and there was no way I wanted to stay till late at night. We were out of there by about 4 PM as it was starting to get very crowded. They had over 100 altars set up in order to make offerings to the dearly departed showing distinct love. They are also heavily decorated with Cempasuchitl-Marigold known as “The flower of the dead”. This flower blossoms in the valleys in Mexico in October and November in bight yellow so is heavily used in decorating the altars. The entire area had the fragrant smell of fresh flowers. We have been to other Day of the Dead celebrations but nothing came close to the size of this one.

click photo to enlarge