Día de los Muertos celebrations are returning to Ogden this October through various community events, according to a October 6 report by The Ogdenite. The monthlong festivities include gatherings at the Ogden Amphitheater and Ogden Union Station to honor Latino culture and community.
The annual celebration hosted by the local nonprofit Cultura and Craft launched in 2019 and returns to Ogden Union Station at the end of the month. Original curators Amir Jackson and Lane Montoya established the event to address a lack of emphasis on the Latino population in Ogden and to diversify downtown activity. The organization's leadership has since grown to include Natalie Vaculin, Ramiro Caballero, and Leon Araujo.
Ogden Friends of American Music (OFOAM) also hosts an annual celebration at the Ogden Amphitheater. This year, Yesenia Salgado serves as the chair of the event, which focuses on sharing knowledge of the holiday with younger generations.
The holiday has become a generational event in the area, with participation spanning schools, homes, and streets throughout October. Salgado stated that the goal is to create a safe environment where people can learn that the altar is a beautiful tradition rather than something scary.
Lane Montoya noted that the event has fostered community growth and acceptance by bringing different ethnic backgrounds together to celebrate. He described the energy of the event as a way for people to celebrate loved ones and reflect on the past.
The celebrations draw participants from Ogden, southern Utah, Idaho, and Colorado. All scheduled events for the season are free and open to the public.
Upcoming festivities include the OFOAM Día de los Muertos en Ogden on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ogden Amphitheater. The eighth annual Día de los Muertos Utah, hosted by Cultura and Craft, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ogden Union Station. Additionally, the Myers Mortuary Día de los Muertos Celebration will be held Monday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. at Myers Evergreen Memorial Park.
