The Central Avenue Betterment Association brought Día de Muertos to Central Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 7, with hundreds of festival-goers strolling the avenue throughout the day and crowding the parade route in the evening.

Face painting, food vendors, artists, ofrendas, and a car show filled the avenue from noon to 9 p.m. Live entertainment played from 2 to 6 p.m., including SouLuna, Janneth Gutierrez, Eli Lugo, and Pedro Chavira. Catrinas, costumed female figures in skull face paint and elegant dress, strolled the street from 3 to 6 p.m., with a competition for the best costume.

At 6:00 p.m., the parade started up the hill to 10th Street and finally on toward 18th Street. The official festivities wrapped up at 9 p.m.

CABA formed in 1977 to improve the business climate and public image of the Central Avenue corridor. It currently focuses on economic development and job creation along this important KCK artery and in the adjacent neighborhoods. It also runs the La Placita market at Bethany Park, along with a summer mentoring program for high school juniors, and Free Wheels for Kids, which gives away about 100 bicycles a year.

About the holiday

Día de Muertos is a time for family and friends to gather and remember loved ones who have died. Families traditionally observe the holiday on Nov. 1 and 2.

Many families build ofrendas, altars that hold the favorite foods and drinks of the departed friends and relatives, along with photos, candles, and flowers. Marigolds, which bloom into the late fall, are used as decorations to guide spirits to the offerings with their bright color and strong scent. Calaveras, or skulls, show up as sugar skulls, masks, and painted faces.

Pictures from CABA Dia de Muertos festival and parade