Thousands gather in Old Town for Día de los Muertos celebration

SAN DIEGO — Dozens of Día de los Muertos celebrations are scheduled in October and November across San Diego County. The message of the pre-Hispanic ritual established more than 3,000 years ago is clear. Those who passed are alive in our memories. To welcome them each year, on Nov. 1 and 2, family members build altars known as ofrendas to honor dead relatives and loved ones. During the beginning of November, the spirits of those lost are believed to return home. Nov. 1 honors deceased children, and Nov. 2 focuses on adults. The two-day holiday typically falls on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on the Catholic calendar. Born out of practices done by the indigenous peoples of the Americas and Catholic traditions from when the Spanish conquered Mexico - Día de los Muertos is a blend of both. FULL STORY: