Thousands Flock to San Antonio for Nation’s Largest Día De Los Muertos Festival

By Michael Karlis

Reporting Texas

SAN ANTONIO – Thousands headed to San Antonio’s Hemisfair over the weekend to take in the sights, sounds and treats of  the 13th annual Muerto’s Fest – the largest Dia De Los Muertos Festival in the nation. 

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a multi-day Mexican celebration where the spirits of departed loved ones return to the living world. 

Families celebrate by creating altars, or ofrendas, for their departed loved one’s, leaving their favorite foods along with photographs and flowers in celebration of their return from the spirit realm. 

For the first time, Muertos Fest added an extra day, running Friday through Sunday. This year’s festival included  an opening tribute to Tejano singer Flaco Jiménez, who died in July at age 86, along with nearly 90 ofrendas, or memorials to the dead, built by local families and organizations. 

“Every year it gets bigger, better and more beautiful,” Muertos Fest organizer Cristina Martinez said. “Last year, we had a great turnout, and we expect to top that this year.”

Although it’s a Mexican tradition, Día de los Muertos has become more popular in the U.S. in recent years. 

“We really try our hardest to be super respectful to the traditions that started in Mexico and Central America, and we have to remember that not everyone can go home to pay tribute to their ancestors,” Martinez said. “Some have to stay here, and so we try to bring that honor, respect and cultural practice here.”

Organizers said Muertos Fest isn’t just about honoring people. Some altars celebrate the lives of pets that have crossed the rainbow bridge, while others take a more political tone. 

One ofrenda, built by members  of the For The Culture Homeschool, honors migrants who lost their lives on their journey finding a better life in the U.S. 

“I hope that people take away that these are humans. Not animals, not monsters, they’re just like you and me,” student Alyna Braannan said. 

Muertos Fest is also about raising awareness, said Gabe Gonzales, founder of Operation Solace, a non-profit supporting military veterans’ mental health. 

This year, Gonzales and Operation Solace constructed an ofrenda honoring the lives of veterans who took their own lives. 

“We fight a war over there and fight battles in our heads when we come back,” Gonzales said. 

After attending previous Muertos Fests, Gonzales said he was surprised that, despite San Antonio’s significant military presence and roots, there weren’t many altars celebrating and honoring veterans. 

“This is to make sure that the veterans who’ve died by suicide aren’t forgotten,” Gonzales said. 

Organizers estimate that more than 100,000 attendees visited Muerto’s Fest this year and are already organizing next year’s event.