Families and Visitors of All Ages Are Invited to Join this Free, Community-Wide Celebration
SANTA PAULA — Come and celebrate Día de los Muertos at four different locations around Santa Paula on Sunday, November 4, 2018! Participating sites will include the California Oil Museum, the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum, Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery, and the Santa Paula Art Museum. This free, family-friendly event will include traditional craft making activities, music, Aztec and Folklórico dancers, face painting, storytelling, and altar installations. Día de los Muertos attire is encouraged! Visitors can begin at any of the participating locations and proceed to the rest. Pick up a Día de los Muertos passport and collect a stamp at each of the locations to be entered into a free raffle drawing. The three museums are within walking distance of each other, and Santa Paula Cemetery is located just 1.2 miles from the museums. Free parking will be available at the California Oil Museum, Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery, and the Santa Paula Art Museum. Hours and activities vary by location. Admission is free for everyone. Please see the full schedule of events below:
Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave.
10am – 2pm
The Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum, known as “the Ag,” exhibits a broad collection of tractors, farming implements, a living beehive, and interactive activity stations for kids. During the event, guests can participate in traditional Day of the Dead crafts such as Papel Picado and tissue flowers, a photo station with Catrina, face painting, and watch a screening of the animated film Coco. Traditional singers and dancers will be performing throughout the day. Please see the Museum of Ventura County’s website for the full line up and performance times.
California Oil Museum
1001 E Main Street
11am – 4pm
The California Oil Museum will feature Nicho and Calavara mask-making crafts. You can also explore the museum’s permanent collections and its newly opened exhibit,Insectology: An Up-Close Look at Bees, Bugs, and Butterflies,with over 100 buggy specimens from around the world.
Santa Paula Art Museum
117 N 10thStreet
12pm – 4pm
The Santa Paula Art Museum will feature four exhibitions: Local Clay,Sanctuary/Santuario: The 25th De Colores Art Show,The Wall, and Spirit Animal, an installation by teens from the Boys and Girls Club. Families can also explore the museum by participating in a digital “I Spy” activity, create paper flowers, La Catrina and El Catrin head pieces, and hear stories of the Day of the Dead.
Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery
380 Cemetery Road
11am – 5pm
Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery will hold a day of festivities where visitors can build an altar at their loved one’s gravesite or add to a community altar. Participate in a procession led by Father Charles of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and the Danza Tonantzin Aztec Dancers. Enjoy Mariachi music, have your face painted, decorate a sugar skull, and enjoy Folklórico Dancers. Spend the day with family and friends while you celebrate and share memories of your dearly departed.