ALPENA — This Saturday, the Alpena Downtown Development Authority will be hosting its first-ever Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration with Mango’s Tequila Bar and Thunder Bay Arts.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with various events, crafts for kids, food and drink specials, and music throughout the day.

The event starts with a themed storytime and craft at 11 a.m. at the Alpena County Library, followed by children’s activities in the alleyway from noon to 2 p.m. Kids can enjoy face painting, a coloring contest with designs by Elisa Chavarri, and multiple crafts for kids of all ages.

Members of the public can enjoy ofrendas on display from noon to 9 p.m. in the alleyway. Ofrendas are elaborately decorated altars that are central to Day of the Dead, adorned with offerings that are meaningful and symbolic to welcome the lives of those dearly departed back to the earthly realm.

Vote for you favorite on Downtown Alpena’s Facebook page on Saturday and Sunday, and Neighborhood Provisions will make a $250 donation to the nonprofit of the winner’s choice.

During the evening, Mariachi de Jalisco de Detroit will be performing in the alleyway from 5 to 9 p.m. The band is one of Detroit’s premier mariachi bands. Attendees can come the hour before (4 to 5 p.m.) to get their face painted or enter La Catrina costume contest. La Catrina is one of the most widely recognizable symbols of Dia de Los Muertos. Women across the world paint their faces in colorful makeup and dress with elegant outfits evoking the famous symbolic skeleton. Judging will happen at 5 p.m. The top prize is worth $500 ($250 Mango’s gift certificate and $250 Downtown Dollars), with second and third place prizes also awarded.

“Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a traditional holiday in Mexico where we celebrate and remember our loved ones who have passed on,” shared Mango’s owner Arturo Mendez. “It is a time where we can gather with our families and share stories and memories of those no longer with us and allow them back into our homes. We do this by connecting the lands of the living and dead and set up altars in our home, called ofrendas, that are filled with many things including favorite foods and items of our ancestors. This year, we are beyond grateful and overjoyed to bring these traditions of our culture to our amazing community. We cannot wait to share this holiday with you all!”

There will be a skull painting class from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at PIF Cider, for $20 per person for two skulls to decorate and take home. There will also be a gong bath and sound healing meditation from 7 to 8 p.m. at Joshue Tree Studio and Spa, for $30 per person.

A full schedule of activities can be found at the DDA’s website, downtownalpenami.com. All members of the public, regardless of background, are encouraged to join the celebration, come dressed up, and remember those who have departed this world.