Day of the Dead returns to Clemson University on Nov. 1

A Day of the Dead celebration will return to Clemson University for its seventh year on Nov. 1, bringing a taste of Latinx culture to Carillon Garden.

A mariachi band will play music, the movie “Coco” will be screened and food trucks will sell a variety of fare. There will be free activities for children, including face painting. Altars will be set up so celebrants can leave pictures of loved ones or mementos to help remember them.

The event is free and open to the public, running from 6-9 p.m. The best place to park is in the lot behind Sikes Hall.

Day of the Dead is a joyful celebration that honors loved ones who have passed, blending colorful altars, festive music and favorite foods to remember the dead and celebrate their lives with love.

The tradition started in Mexico and is now celebrated throughout Latin America and is spreading to many locations across the United States.

Marigolds grown in the South Carolina Botanical Garden will adorn altars at this year’s event in Clemson. As part of the holiday’s tradition, the yellow and orange flowers are thought to lure the deceased back to the world of the living.

The committee that organizes this Clemson event is spearheaded by Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte, an associate professor of mechanical engineering.

“This celebration brings our community together in a beautiful way, blending tradition, culture, and remembrance,” he said.

“With a home football game scheduled for the following day, we expect to share this cultural event with more people than ever. It’s an opportunity for everyone to experience the warmth and spirit of Día de los Muertos while honoring our loved ones with joy and respect. It is a lot of work by a lot of people, and I offer my deepest thanks to all who have made this event possible.”

Many people from Clemson and the area’s Latinx community have come together to make the annual event a success. Sponsors are: Clemson’s Commission on Latino Affairs; Clemson’s Division of Community, Engagement, Belonging and Access; Clemson Libraries; Clemson’s College of Arts and Humanities; Clemson’s Department of Languages; Clemson’s Bob & Betsy Campbell Museum of Natural History; Clemson’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences; Clemson’s Office of the Provost; Clemson Visual Arts; the South Carolina Botanical Garden; Clemson’s Student Government Council of Diversity Affairs; the Hispanic Alliance; and the Consulate General of Mexico in Raleigh.

To learn more, view photos and video of past events and see the list of individuals on the planning committee, go to www.clemsondayofthedead.org or to the Spanish version, www.clemsondiadelosmuertos.org.