Image courtesy of Jefferson Library

Two entities are partnering together to bring a cultural celebration to Jefferson tomorrow.

The Jefferson Public Library and Sarah Huddleston, the Multicultural Family Resource Center Director, are co-hosting several activities to highlight the Day of the Dead. Huddleston says the Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday where it implies that the souls of the deceased temporarily return home to live with their relatives and to nourish themselves with the essence of the food that is offered to them on their altars. She states that death is not represented as an absence but a living presence on the Day of the Dead as a symbol of life that materialized at the offered altar.

The festivities begin in the Youth Services Department with a Bilingual Storytime for newborns to seven-year-olds where there will be story reading and songs done in both English and Spanish, from 1-1:30pm. Then from 1:30-3:30pm is a craft and social time, where attendees can learn more about bilingual resources and materials within the library, and make and take two crafts for youth ages three to teens, including papel picado and calavera masks in honor of the Day of the Dead celebration.  Additionally, from 1:30-2:30pm is a calavera face painting opportunity for ages three and older where local artists will make face paintings in the Day of the Dead designs.

In the Adult Department from 2:30-3:30pm will be loteria, a style of bingo games are going to be played, followed by a Time of Remembrance from 3-4pm. This is where attendees can share memories of their loved ones and present a photo of them that can be put on the ofrenda in the Adult Department. 

All activities tomorrow are free and open to the public.