Dia de los Muertos

This year, Fort Lauderdale's popular Day of the Dead Celebration moves the fiesta downtown to Himmarshee and the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk from its previous central hub in FAT Village. The fourth installment takes place Saturday as towering puppets created by mastermind Jim Hammond of the Puppet Network make their way from Huizenga Park along the Riverwalk to America's Backyard. Magic unfolds in nearly every possible turn, in part thanks to enthused attendees outfitted in skeletal face paint and garb to honor the spirit of this Mexican tradition. A sea of skull-inspired visuals is sure to amaze onlookers amid puppet shows, crafts, painted ponies, mask-making workshops, lectures, film projections, live music, and dancing. Last year, 7,000 revelers were reportedly in attendance, and this year's bash is anticipated to be bigger. Live mariachi bands and various musical performers will take the Boneyard Bandstand in downtown. From 2 to 6 p.m., Family Day will be held at Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale (1 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale). From 5:45 to 6:15 p.m., Skeleton Processional will begin at Huizenga Plaza (1 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale). And the block party will get underway in downtown Fort Lauderdale, just look for the mass of painted skeletal faces from 6 to 11 p.m. in the 100 block of SW Third Avenue. Admission is free. Visit dayofthedeadflorida.com.
Sat., Nov. 2, 2013