Nebraska Folklife (nebraskafolklife.org) is excited to celebrate their 20th anniversary. In celebration, they will be cohosting Lincoln’s yearly Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event on Sunday, November 5, at Lincoln’s Auld Pavilion in Antelope Park. The event will start at 11:30 a.m. and commence until 5 p.m.

Dia de Los Muertos is a special day for remembering friends and loved ones who have passed away. It’s also a celebration of the lives that they lived. This holiday has been celebrated in parts of Mexico and other Latin American countries for hundreds of years. It is a joyous, loving event – not a solemn one. Though smiling skeletons and skulls are sometimes included in Day of the Dead decorations, the holiday has no connections with Halloween and is not anti-religious.

Organized by 10 local community groups, including El Centro de Las Americas and the Lincoln Commission for Human Rights, and sponsored by Lincoln businesses such as Bryan Health and ALLO, this free, family friendly event features performances by Latin American musicians and costumed dancers, craft making for all ages, ethnic food, exhibits, craft vendors and more. A fun run on the trails in and around Antelope Park is a brand new addition planned for this year’s event.

Nebraska Folklife’s mission is to amplify the presence of folk and traditional artists throughout the state, providing them with greater exposure and recognition. For more information and to get involved, please visit nebraskafolklife.org.