Day of the Dead festivities

Petaluma's Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead celebration begins Oct. 5 and continues through Nov. 3 with altars, music, dance, art, workshops, lectures and activities for all ages around town. The festivities come to a close with a candlelight giant puppet procession on Nov. 2.

The traditional Latin American holiday, which focuses on honoring deceased loved ones, has become a tradition in Petaluma, thanks to the efforts of the Petaluma Arts Council. Here is a schedule of upcoming events.

n Oct. 5: Wearable retablos workshop with Sueann Bettison-Sher, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville St.; Artists reception for "Arbol de Vidas/Trees of Lives art show, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Petaluma Arts Center. The art is on display through Nov. 3.

n Oct. 5 through Nov. 3: Mercado featuring Mexican folk art, noon to 4 p.m. at the Petaluma Arts Center.

n Oct. 6: Petaluma's Day of the Dead celebration kicks off with an opening ceremony, 1 to 4 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty St.

n Oct. 12: Taste of Mexico: Mol?Extravaganza, 4 p.m. at the Petaluma Arts Center. The cost is $15 adults, $5 kids ages 5-12.

n Oct. 15, 22, 29: Remembering Our Ancestor doll making class, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Petaluma Arts Center.

n Oct. 16: Sacred Circle Dance with Joan Rawles-Davis, 7 to 9 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, corner of Fifth and C streets.

n Oct. 17: Artists' reception for Day of the Dead art show, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Petaluma Mail Depot, 40 Fourth St.

n Oct. 19: Sugar skulls making workshop, 2 to 5 p.m. at the Petaluma Farmers Market, corner of Petaluma Boulevard and D streets.

n Oct. 25: Poetry of Rememberance program featuring local poets, 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Petaluma Arts Center.

n Oct. 26: Traditional family activities for Day of the Dead, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Colors of Spanish, 55 Maria Drive, suite 844.

n Oct. 26: Performance of Southwest, Early California and Mexican music by Petaluma quartet Los Gu'achis, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Petaluma Library, 100 Fairgrounds Drive.

n Oct. 27: Day of the Dead worship service, 10 a.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma, 518 B St.

n Nov. 2: Bilingual storytime for preschoolers, 11 a.m. at the Petaluma Library.

n Nov. 2: Day of the Dead procession through downtown Petaluma begins at 6 p.m. and ends at the Petaluma Arts Center with a celebration featuring music, food and folk art until 10 p.m.

For more information on all events and a map of where altars are located, visit www.petalu maartscenter.org.

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