Murphys, CA…Join us on the first Saturday in November!  Saturday, November 6th, 2021 from 11:00 am-5:00 pm.  Participating businesses will be displaying altars celebrating the lives of those who have passed on but are with us in heart and spirit on the Day of the Dead.  Join us in the Community Park on Algiers to shop a curated group of artisan vendors, have your face painted, grab a drink or something to eat, and visit our community ofrenda.

Purchases of food & drinks in the Park will benefit the Murphys Community Club who are responsible for maintaining and improving our lovely park along the creek.  The Park will also be the location of our Community Altar where everyone is welcome to contribute a remembrance of a loved one.  We will end the event with a blessing and ritual burning of any items left at the altar at the end of the day.

We encourage you to dress in your best Catrin & Catrina attire.  While there will not be a formal contest this year, we will be watching for and acknowledging the best of the best throughout the day.

Almost 30 businesses will be hosting ofrendas this year.  Download the program to see the full list with addresses and themes:

We have a couple of additional ofrendas and activities that provided information too late to be included in the program:
Tanner Tasting Room on the corner of Main and Algiers will have an ofrenda dedicated to children.  They are long-time participants in this event and a stop there is well worth the effort.
Gabby’s Cuisine on the corner of Main & Jones will have an ofrenda and special menu items.
The Irish Pub will have an ofrenda to those we have lost in our community this past year.
Moss & Rust will be hosting Fun Fine Artist and Red Flower Essentials Face Painting and more.

This ancient holiday traces its roots back to the indigenous cultures of Mexico, Latin America, and Europe but has become inextricably intertwined with the Catholic observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day over time.   Although this celebration is associated with the dead, it is traditionally a period full of life, happiness, color, food, family, and fun.  In Mexico, outdoor markets display and sell symbolic items like special bread, pottery, baskets, candles, paper puppets, candy skulls, and flowers.  Skeletons are also an important symbol of this day and are displayed hugging, dancing and laughing in shop windows and on street corners.

Traditional activities are believed to “welcome the souls of the dead.”  The souls are said to return each year to enjoy the pleasures of the life that they once had.  These souls are thought to return as spirits from another world to be with their loved ones for a few brief hours.  A widely held belief is that the souls of children (angelitos) return first so food and gifts appealing to children are set out for them.  The adult dead are said to return a day or two later and their favorite items, as well as elaborate food and drink, are set out for them as well.  It is believed that candlelight, as well as the scent of marigolds and copal incense, will help the ghosts find their way back home.

The public is welcome to participate in the remembrance of loved ones by contributing items to the altars.  Add to the Community Altar located in the Park or contact the business owner whose altar you would like to contribute to make sure there is an appropriate space for your item.

Additional information on the history, traditions, and beliefs associated with the Day of the Dead can be found on the mexconnect website.

Thank you to our 2021 major sponsors who make this event possible:

Cedar Creek Realty
Dignity Health
Ironstone Vineyards
Jomas Artisan Ice Cream
Murphys Grille
Murphys Historic Hotel
Murphys Pourhouse
Murphys Treasures
NEXT Upscale Resale
Rob’s Place
Sierra Hills Market & Natural Food Store
Sierra Nevada Adventure Company
The Man Cave
The Spice Tin
Val du Vino

Please thank them when you stop in next time.  Other financial supporters of this event include:

Art on Main
Black Sheep Winery
Bodega del Sur
Gossamer Cellars
Milliaire Winery
Sabrina Julian Investments
The Garden in Murphys
Villa Vallecito
V Restaurant & Bistro

Those who wish to help support the event may download our Sponsor & Participant Form:
2021 Day of the Dead Particpant Form