MONROE — The Green County Mulitcultural Outreach Program (MCOP) and the Veracruz Mexican Market invite the public to join the 2022 Day of the Dead or Día de Muertos celebration from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.
The Día de Muertos is an annual celebration that honors loved ones who have died and invites the departed to visit for a short time. Thought to be a combination of Aztec traditions and the Christian All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day observances, the Day of the Dead originated and is celebrated primarily in Mexico.
On Nov. 1, children who have died are honored, and on Nov. 2, adults are remembered. According to tradition, families create an altar or “ofrenda” in the home to entice deceased friends and family to visit with their photos, flowers, and favorite foods and objects. Families also go to the cemetery at night with flowers, music, and a picnic. Special foods, “Calaveras,” or sugar skulls and skeletons in lifelike poses, and flowers celebrate this joyous commemoration of those who have passed.
To recognize this holiday, the Veracruz Mexican Market (500 14th Avenue, Monroe, WI) is featuring a community “ofrenda” with traditional decorations from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. The public is invited to add the names of departed family and friends to a bulletin board on display to honor their memory. In addition, people may also bring special foods and photos, which will be returned if they provide contact information, to add to this memorial.
Green County MCOP is a grassroots organization that began in 2018 when Maribel Lobato of the Veracruz Mexican Market reached out to Monroe friends to organize a “Posada” Mexican Christmas celebration at the Green County YMCA. This collaboration grew to become Green County MCOP, consisting of local volunteers whose mission is to welcome and celebrate diverse community members, advocate for inclusivity, and educate the community about the value of diversity.
MCOP is a member of the Regional Multicultural Outreach Program, a nonprofit organization that includes Richland, Lafayette, Green, Grant, and Iowa Counties and is housed under the Southwest Community Action Program (SWCAP).
Working with local service organizations, MCOP of Green County supports immigrants, promotes anti-racism initiatives, celebrates diverse holidays, and works to unite our community. Go to the MCOP Green County Facebook page or the MCOP Regional website at https://www.mcopwi.org/ for more information. To join the Green County MCOP mailing list, contact Lisa Hendrickson at
mcopgreencounty@gmail.com.
