Port Isabel Historic Trolley Tours Company will be on hand to transport the public from the festival to the historic Point Isabel Cemetery for self guided tours. Day of the Dead artwork and altars by area artists and residents will be displayed at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum. There will be a Children’s Activity Tent with hands on art projects including Altar Making sponsored by the Laguna Madre Art League, Sugar Skull making workshop by Jessica Villescaz and Papel Picado workshop. All children’s activities will begin at 1:00 p.m. until 4 p.m.  From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. there will be food and arts and crafts booths on the museum grounds. On Friday, October 24, the Lighthouse Establishment Cinema will present the movie “Creature from the Black Lagoon” a 1950s cult classic at 9 p.m. on the side of the lighthouse. Entry to the Day of the Dead Festival and Lighthouse Establishment Cinema is free.  

Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a Mexican custom of celebrating all souls and all saints day in a festive atmosphere. Because the Mexican people find joy in remembering loved ones who have passed away, they spend a night and a day at the burial site of the deceased family members, honoring the memories of their lives. Traditionally, the Day of the Dead was a three day and three night festival that mixed Spanish Catholicism with Mesoamerican Indian roots. The ancient custom has now been transformed to fit the Mexican-American households of today.

The Mexican people believe that deceased children return to visit Earth on the last day of October, and the faithful dead return on November 2nd. At this time every year, families gather at cemeteries to clean and adorn the graves of their deceased loved ones. The Museum celebrates the heritage and artistic expression of this custom with traditional and non-traditional altars and festivities.