In keeping with its mission of integrating arts
and culture on Main Street, the nonprofit artists’ cooperative STUDIO 395, in a
partnership with the city of Lake Elsinore, will stage its annual Dia de Los
Muertos celebration from 1 pm to 6 pm, Saturday, Oct. 27.
“It’s definitely one of our signature events,”
STUDIO 395 co-founder Grace Sandlin said. “We want to attract more foot traffic
downtown, involve more downtown residents, and get the artists involved.”
Sandlin now serves as the Lake Elsinore
Downtown Merchants Association’s board president, which illustrates the extent
to which the arts group has become a player on Main Street. The DMA is a coalition of concerns promoting
commerce in the Lake Elsinore Downtown Historical District.
When STUDIO 395 initiated a Dia de Los Muertos
fiesta in the group’s early years, it was a relatively modest affair occupying
a few street corners. The holiday, on
which families pay tribute to deceased relatives, has grown widely in the U.S.
in areas populated by Mexican descendants.
The success of STUDIO 395’s early Dia de Los
Muertos efforts led the city to get involved as co-sponsor. The event burgeoned
in offerings and popularity, said organizer Rebecca Esquibel, owner of La
Rebelde Winery and CEO of STUDIO 395.
“I think the value is for it to be a bridge to
allow the local community to understand some things about the Hispanic
community and their focus on family,” Esquibel said. “That’s the whole purpose:
to give an opportunity to the community to come together at a positive and
entertaining event.”
A few thousand people are expected to attend the
gathering, which will feature up to 50 vendors providing food, beverages, arts
and crafts, and recreational activities. Live music and dance will occur
throughout. Many features will harmonize
with the party’s theme, such as altars, sugar skulls, mariachis and Ballet Folklorico.
The event will be staged at City Park on Main
between Limited and Library streets. Sections of Main and the side streets will
be shut down to accommodate festivities.
An innovative addition orchestrated by the city
will be a Go Human project, in which bicycles paths will be established around
City Park on Main and Limited. The goal is to encourage visitors to use their
bikes as transport to and from the happening.
The Southern California Association of
Governments is funding the project, which will include a bicycle parade, a bike
valet parking area, and vendors promoting non-motorized transportation.
Aside from vendor wares and food, the gala
admittance and entertainment is free of charge.
The group also tries to keep the vendors to those that sell handmade or
theme related items only.
“We do this event for the cultural and artistic
experience it brings to the local residents,” Esquibel said. “This is not a
fundraiser. It’s a community event that we want to keep free to access.”
Information on STUDIO 395 and its events is available
at www.Studio395.org The Lake Elsinore Downtown Merchants Association posts updates on its
Facebook page.
