October 25, 2021
The Museum of Ventura County kicks off Día de los Muertos
Weeklong celebration with activities and programs at both museum locations beginning October 23rd.
Día de los Muertos programming at the Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum made possible in part by the generous support of EJ Harrison & Sons.
The Museum of Ventura County invites all members of our community to participate in numerous activities in a weeklong celebration of Día de los Muertos from Saturday, October 23rd through Saturday, October 31st. From Day of the Dead craft kits for kids, to build-your-own altars, to live music, poetry, refreshments and food trucks there’s something for everyone. Día de los Muertos programming at the Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum made possible in part by the generous support of EJ Harrison & Sons. For complete event information, visit: venturamuseum.org/events.
“Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a time honored tradition brought to us through the Mexican culture where families honor the lives of departed relatives,” said The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director, Elena Brokaw. “We’re pleased to bring this celebration to our community and encourage everyone to come experience the sights, sounds and traditions.”
The Día de los Muertos celebration kicks off Saturday, October 23rd with family-friendly Day of the Dead Craft Kits available at both museum locations while supplies last through October 31st – Museum of Ventura County (100 E. Main St., Ventura, Ca) and Agriculture Museum of Santa Paula (926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula, Ca). These interactive learning kits include, educationally fun lessons about Día de los Muertos, a mini skull book, Calavera necklace craft, Ofrenda word search, a letter to the dead and more.
Altar creations will begin on Sunday, October 24th and run through October 29th. Guests are encouraged to bring personal contributions such as mementos, photos, and other creative crafts to be included in both large outdoor altar displays located at the Ventura and Santa Paula museums. Please note, items donated to the public alter are nonreturnable. Copies of original pieces are suggested. The large outdoor altars can be viewed from Saturday, October 30th to Friday, through November 7th at both Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum of Santa Paula.
Those that wish to participate from home, can submit images of their personal altars for online viewing at submissions@venturamuseum.org or post to social media and use hashtag #CelebrateWithMVC or #CelebrandoConMVC on social media. The Museum’s weeklong Día de los Muertos celebration concludes with afternoon events at both its Ventura and Santa Paula locations. In Ventura, the Museum of Ventura County is hosting an afternoon celebration on Saturday, October 30th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., honoring the lives of loved ones through music from Xocoyotzin Moraza and friends, poetry, altar viewings, refreshments, and food for purchase provided by Game Over Catering and Desserts to Die For. In Santa Paula, the Agriculture Museum invites friends and family to celebrate on October 31st from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with performances from traditional Aztec and Ballet folkloric dancers, Day of the Dead tissue flower folding and additional craft tables.
To volunteer at these community events, create an altar of your own, or collaborate, please contact ebrokaw@venturamuseum.org.