Traditional cultural event honors Utah’s largest minority population.

By Deann Armes

NEWS

This year, a second annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration is taking over Ben Lomond High School on Saturday, October 8 from 12 to 9 p.m., hosted by members of the Hispanic community, Ogden School District, and Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music (OFOAM).

The day-long festivities will shine a light on Utah’s Hispanic communities with free events for all ages including a community altar, live performances, over 80 vendors, “Coco” screenings, arts and crafts, student art showcase, car show, food trucks, and an evening concert.

The music headliner, curated by OFOAM, is L.A. band Suenatron, featuring the sons of Hernán Hernández of Los Tigres del Nortes.

The event holds special meaning for many of the Hispanic/Latinx organizers.

“[Dia de Los Muertos] has always been part of my parents and my abuelitos traditions from their beautiful country, Mexico,” says Arlene Anderson, Dia de Los Muertos en Ogden chair. “As a little girl, I remember my mother having an altar in her bedroom with pictures of her family who had passed with candles lit. I loved watching the flames flicker as it cast its shadow on the pictures.”

Traditional cultural events like Dia de Los Muertos are a vital way of representing all residents and providing a sense of belonging.

Anderson, a graduate from Ben Lomond High School, says she was one of only a few Hispanic/Latino students in the Ogden School District at the time. “I struggled to find where I belonged growing up. I feel it's important to understand one another by sharing each other's cultures and traditions, and create a sense of belonging in our community.”

According to the 2020 census, Ogden has a growing Hispanic population at thirty-two percent, and over fifty percent of students in the Ogden School District are Hispanic/Latinx.

“Hispanic/Latinos are Utahns,” Anderson says. “We contribute to this great state of Utah from not only our food, our culture and traditions, but we are driving economic growth from our businesses.”

Ben Lomond High is a fitting venue given that half of the student body is Hispanic/Latinx. It’s also a beautiful campus with a top notch auditorium. In conjunction with the district’s Parent’s Elevated summit, the entire space will be filled with food trucks, vendors, art, and music.

Students will be selling their art, themed “Remembering our Ancestors,” to the community. The committee has also created Scholarships for Dreamers to support education and more opportunities for these students.

For committee member Enrique Romo, Ben Lomond High is an anchor in the community, and “a great homecoming in more ways than one: coming home to a place where families have sent their children to, and a homecoming for the spirits of the departed who can also experience what their living loved ones are experiencing.”

It’s also about simply sharing this beautiful tradition with all of Ogden.

Yesenia Salgado got involved to help people experience a holiday that is integral to Mexico. “My hope is that everyone gets a chance to see and experience this cultural tradition and take it back to their family. In Mexico, this is such a normal holiday/tradition that I would like to see it become the same here. My kids are growing up and I want them to be able to see this while they are growing up and feel included.”

Anderson wanted to get involved because Dia de Los Muertos en Ogden “is a part of who I am.” “As a consultant for OFOAM, I wanted to ensure that the essence, the spirit, of this beautiful holiday that is so beloved to me and many others, is true to what it means for us-Hispanic/Latinos.”

In addition, she says, OFOAM brings world class entertainment to Ogden. “What I love is that Michelle and Reba [the OFOAM directors] create a youth outreach for our students of Ogden when they bring these artists to our city.”

Last year, OFOAM brought Las Cafeteras for the first Dia de Los Muertos en Ogden, who entertained and engaged the students.

“Ogden stands to benefit in unimaginable ways by elevating and showcasing the richness of these traditions that are anchored in our Hispanic/Latinx community,” says Romo. “It's the right thing to do and it sends a strong message to everyone that regardless of who they are, where they come from, and how they celebrate their lived experiences that they have a place here—that their voice matters, and that they, too, can feel proud and can freely express and share traditions that have survived hundreds of years.”

Educational and fun facts, such as how to make your own altar, the cultural significance of Mexican Marigolds, and the delicious traditional foods of the holiday, are posted on the Facebook page (@Ogdendiadelosmuertos) and Instagram (@diadelosmuertosOgden).

Dia de Los Muertos en Ogden is Saturday, October 8, 12–9 p.m., at Ben Lomond High School, in Ogden, 1080 9th Street. This is a free, family-friendly event and all are encouraged to come and enjoy the festivities.

Learn more at ofoam.org/events/dia-de-los-muertos-en-ogden.

Dia de Los Muertos en Ogden extends gratitude for its sponsors for this year’s event: OFOAM, RAMP, Ogden Arts, Utah Arts & Museums, WESTAF/NEA.

*Deann Armes is the marketing manager for OFOAM and originally wrote this article as a press release for the organization. The Ogdenite was not was paid for this publication.

Suenatron - Santa Borrachera (Video Oficial)