Día de los Muertos Festival hosted in downtown Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Día de los Muertos Festival was held in Louisville on Saturday.

Every year this time Mexico erupts in celebrations during the Day of the Dead. Families gather at cemeteries across the country on Nov. 1 to reconnect with their dead just as their ancestors have done for centuries.

On Saturday, a festival full of life, culture and tradition was celebrated. The event was organized by Bourbon Hall, Poder KY, Los Aztecas Mexican Restaurant, La Casita Center, La Pana Bakery and Cafe and FOKO.

"It's actually my favorite holiday," Carlos Vega said. "I am from Mexico. I came here like six years ago and it's just like Day of the Dead has been very important for my family. I went to Mexico the last three years to celebrate the Day of the Dead, it's a big tradition in my family."

Day of the Dead dates back centuries to ancient Indigenous civilizations, which would organize parties when someone died to guide them on to the next life, and lay out food in altars to nourish them on their journeys, according to the Mexican government.

When Spanish colonizers arrived and began forcing Catholicism upon Indigenous communities, they would mix Indigenous traditions with Catholic holidays. Celebrations of the dead then synced up with All Saints Day, on Nov. 1, ending on Nov 2.

While celebrations begin ramping up at the end of October, Mexican tradition says that on that night their deceased are closest to the living world, and people hope to keep them company. Though each family celebrates in different ways.