The California Park and Recreation Society has awarded the local Dia de los Muertos Committee with the “Champion of the Community Award.” The distinction was awarded on Feb. 7, and was accepted on behalf of the committee by Santa Maria-Bonita School District representative Gloria Nuno and Univision’s Rocio Favela.
The Die de los Muertos Committee has been host to a yearly festival event since 2011, and has seen community involvement greatly increase every year. The 2013 Dia de los Muertos Festival was supported by and organized in collaboration with the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, P.L.A.Y. Inc., Santa Maria Bonita-School District, LULAC, Univision Television, Que Pasa, Santa Barbara County Foodbank, Un Nuevo Amanecer, and the All-American City Committee. The daylong event includes altars to honor the dead, as well as sculpture, food, and dance.
More information is available at 925-0951, Ext. 263, dsmitherman@cityofsantamaria.org, or cityofsantamaria.org.
This article appears in Mar 13-20, 2014.
