Uplift San Bernardino in partnership with the City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department hosted a community celebration of Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The event, hosted at the Campo Santo Memorial Park, was well-received bringing more than 100 residents from the 7th Ward and throughout the City to celebrate and remember friends and family who have passed away. With many residents dressing up for the festivities, the community enjoyed face painting, crafts, games, storytime and a community altar honoring their loved ones. In an effort to support the small business community in the City, food for the event was catered by the San Gorgonio High School Catering Club and champurrado and baked goods were catered by 7th ward bakeries Angie’s Bakery and Noye’s Bakery. Flowers were supplied by Diaz Flowers.   

The event also featured Uplift San Bernardino partners including the Arts Connection – The Arts Council of San Bernardino County, the Associación de Emprendedor@s,  Neighborhood Association Council of San Bernardino, Howard M. Rowe Branch Library,  California Chapter of the Yellow Heart Memorial and Robert Carrillo (eXp Realty).

Campo Santo Memorial Park, a former Catholic Cemetery that was converted to a Park in 1977, features a monument with a dedication plaque that includes the names of all of the burials. Today, a few headstones remain in their original location as a memorial.