Michael Bushnell
Northeast News

A sell-out crowd enjoyed fantastic, summer-like weather this past Saturday at the Kansas City Museum’s Ninth Annual Día de los Muertos celebration on the grounds at 3218 Gladstone Boulevard. Over 1,000 people came out to enjoy live music, Folklorico dancing and singing, face painting and, of course, some over the top food trucks.

This was the first year for a pay-what-you-can admission charge, according to Museum Director Anna Marie Tutera.

“Some people paid $125, others paid $.50 and, you know, we probably did better this year than we have in past years,” Tutera said.

Also a first was an inside ofrenda, or altar, on the museum’s grand staircase where family members could leave memories of a lost loved one. The altar was decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers and photos of the departed. Traditionally, the offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that reunites the living and dead, observed on November 1 and 2, but preparation often begins weeks before.