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The Sugar Skull decorating party

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Celebrating Dia de los Muertos at Octavia Fellin Public Library

The Octavia Fellin Public Library invited the community in for a Sugar Skull Decorating Party Oct. 22.  It was part of their preparation for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which begins this year on Oct. 31 and ends Nov. 2. Often celebrated in Mexico on Nov. 1 and 2, the celebrations are based on the belief that the souls of loved ones now gone, come back to this world to celebrate on these days.

The Sugar Skulls decorating event was only the second event of its kind held at the main library. It was held there four years ago. It was clear people were glad it returned, shown by a packed room, filled with eager families waiting to decorate skulls made of sugar. Shiny beads and colorful icings were used to jazz up the skulls. Once finished, visitors could take them home or place them on the community altar, otherwise known as The Day of the Dead Altar.

The Day of the Dead Altar

Sugar skulls are among the ofrendas, or offerings, placed on altars for the Day of the Dead.  Ofrendas are collections of objects placed on a ritual display during the annual celebration. They show the souls of the departed, the way back home. Altars make the souls, or animas, feel welcome and show them they have not been forgotten.

Betty Martin, deputy director of the library, was quite pleased and overwhelmed at the attendance of the event. “So much participation with the decorating of the sugar skulls, plus, whoever wants to participate in the altar can. We have not only one here but also at the children’s library. They can leave anything for those who passed on in memory, or to remember them, too.”

Helping with the project was Miyamura High School Spanish Club teacher Roberta Saldana. Being no stranger to this event, Saldana said her school does it every year. She was invited to explain more about Día de Los Muertos.

“This was an unexpected turn out, and it’s so nice to see so many young kids come out and do this,” Saldana said. “The history is from Mexico and the whole concept is that we are who we are because of our ancestors, and we honor them during this timeframe, not in sadness, but in gratitude.”

“We must thank them for making us who we are and guiding us along the way. It’s the idea that none of us are totally alone. We’re a total of people that influenced us or…even people we didn’t know that made a difference in our lives.”

Before the presentation from Saldana, a 2017 film entitled Coco, was shown depicting Día de Los Muertos.

Crystal Segura of Gallup along with her 10-year-old son Thomas came to the event to learn more and be a part of it as they happily decorated their sugar skulls. “We just want to do different things and explore while he is still growing up. Plus my son thinks it’s pretty cool and he loves to do art.” she said.

Other parents enjoyed the time together like Jennifer Mallon of Gallup with her two children, six-year-old Paul, and nine-year-old Chloe. Hearing about the sugar skulls event, the Mallons were excited to attend. According to Mallon, they built their own altar at home and found the decorating to be an enjoyable cultural experience.

“We just wanted to get our artistic vibe on and have fun at it.” Mallon said.

OFPL invites the local community to add photos, messages, and symbolic items to our community altars during the month of October.

For more information on upcoming events visit the library at 115 West Hill Ave., email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call (505) 863-1291.

By Dee Velasco
For the Sun