DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Highland Park Elementary celebration

Photos by Leda Costa for West Seattle Blog

Miguel Gudino explainging the meaning behind the Dia de los Muertos altar he set up at the school.

While putting together this year’s WSB West Seattle Halloween (etc.) Guide, we’ve noticed more community Dia de los Muertos events than previous years … and we were invited to visit Thursday night’s big party at Highland Park Elementary. And along with food, games, and crafts, participants got to learn about this way of honoring the dead – above, HPE dad Miguel Gudino explains the altar he set up. Traditionally, you put fresh flowers, candles, and your loved one’s favorite foods on an altar like this, and on November 1st, all of these items are taken to the grave.

An example of a Dia de los Muertos altar. Highland Park Elementary dad Miguel Gudino put together an example of what an altar would look like at home. Traditionally, you put fresh flowers, candles, and your loved one's favorite foods at the altar. On November 1st, all of these items are taken to the grave.

It’s a celebratory time. And so the HPES event offered fun activities including facepainting – which drew a line:

The line for facepainting

AJ Purdie, a 4th grader at Highland Park Elementary, getting her face painted.

That’s fourth-grader AJ. Ahead, 10 more photos:

Alberto Medina helping out at the arts and crafts table. Here he is helping with a DIY sombrero. He is a former Highland Park Elementary student, his mother teaches there now.

Above, Alberto Medina, a former student at HPE, where his mother teachers, helped out at the arts and crafts table, assisting with DIY sombreros. Paper plates and cups went into the project:

At the arts and crafts table, kids decorate paper plates and cups to make them into sombreros.

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There was a cake walk:

Kids participating in the cake walk.

And of course there was candy:
Kids and their halloween candy.

There was also information about getting involved with the new playground!

Information on the new playground that will hopefully be completed next summer.

If all goes well, the playground will be in use long before next Dia de los Muertos rolls around!

P.S. For more Dia de los Muertos events in the next week – along with Halloween events and other seasonal fun – check out our guide, here.

2 Replies to "DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Highland Park Elementary celebration"

  • NW October 30, 2016 (12:50 pm)

    I sure like seeing the representation and honoring traditions of diverse cultures. Keep up the good work.

  • HP Neighbour October 30, 2016 (9:04 pm)

    Great to see the school incorporating cultural events!

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