Day of the Dead Preview

BY KATE BERGUM

The public will be able to enjoy a Ferris wheel, food and festivity on the University of Oklahoma’s campus Friday.

The Day of the Dead Street Festival, hosted by OU Latino Student Life, will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Walker Adams Mall, according to the Latino Student Life web page.

At the event, students will be able to compete on an inflatable obstacle course, and watch dance, rap and band performances for free, said Daisy Ramirez, the chair of the festival. Attendees will also be able to decorate skulls made out of sugar at the event, which is a traditional Latino activity during the Day of the Dead.

“We want them to be entertained and have something to do and look at all times,” Ramirez said.

Additionally, attendees will be able to purchase food from OU Housing and Food’s taco truck and buy souvenirs such as T-shirts, Ramirez said.

If people plan to buy food or souvenirs at the event, they should bring cash, or an ATM will be available, according to the web page.

The festival is a vibrant way to promote Latino culture and celebrate the lives of those who have passed away, according to the web page. Attendees will be able to see traditions and cultural elements from various Latin American countries at the event, according to the web page.

The event will blend OU’s campus culture with Latino culture, Ramirez said.

Though she does not celebrate all aspects of the Day of the Dead, she said for some Latino people in the community, it is an important holiday.

OU’s Day of the Dead festival will give Latinos in the community an outlet to celebrate the holiday, Ramirez said.

“If I’m able to help them embrace their culture and their traditions, then I’ll gladly do it,” Ramirez said.

Everyone is welcome to attend the festival—not just OU students and staff, and not just people familiar with the Day of the Dead as a holiday, Ramirez said.

The event provides people who are not familiar with Latino culture or holidays the opportunity to contribute to the celebration, Ramirez said.

“Not only does it demonstrate a little bit about our culture, but it also lets people add onto it,” Ramirez said. “So, instead of it being exclusive, we want to incorporate everyone into our traditions and cultures.”

The festival is a one of several cultural events that Latino Student Life hosts throughout the year, according to the website.

Latino Student life will also sponsor Miss Hispanic OU Pageant and Latino Flavor of OU, where students can taste various foods, this spring, according to the web page.

People volunteer for the street festival by emailing Ramirez or signing up online by Wednesday, Ramirez said.  

Volunteers will receive free T-shirts for their help, Ramirez said.

For more information about the Day of the Dead Street Festival or Latino cultural events, visit the Latino Student Life web page.