Day of the Dead party supports arts and heritage

 In Events

Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society is planning a Day of the Dead inspired party for its annual fundraiser for local programming. 

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a Mexican celebration of the deceased that is rich in history and tradition. It is thought the dead awaken and are lured by the costumes, food and music to celebrate with their loved ones. Family members decorate graves and make offerings to the deceased during the upbeat celebration of the dead.

“It is a departure for Purple Hills and purposefully so, too…” said the organization’s president Basil Guinane. “We wanted to appeal to a broad audience. We desperately need new members and we need new members of the community to be involved in Purple Hills.”

Party organizers are planning to transform the Station on the Green with elaborate décor. There will be a spread of tacos, corn chips and dips, street corn, and beverages, including tequila. 

Caterers at Men with Knives are serving flour and corn tortillas with pork carnitas, shredded beef brisket and Buffalo cauliflower, served with a variety of condiments – red sauce, green sauce, crema, pickled cabbage, coleslaw, hot sauce – and churros for dessert. 

Although costumes are optional, people are invited to dress in the spirit of the Day of the Dead with its traditional Mexican inspired clothes, marigolds, sugar skulls and the iconic skeleton face paint. There will be face painters on hand for those who wish to have their faces painted. There will be a DJ, and hopefully dancing. 

“In supporting this Dias de los Muertos, you are really supporting the community and an organization that is a vital part of that community,” said Guinane. “Purple Hills does so much in the community and I think people would miss us if we weren’t around.”

Tickets cost $45 each and are available online via www.phahs.ca and at The Creemore Echo. Funds raised go to support Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society programs such as the annual Creemore Festival of the Arts, the Artists in the School program, Tea and History events and the heritage plaque walking tour, as well as student awards and scholarships.

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