HOOD RIVER — On Nov. 2, Hood River Latino Network held its annual Día de Los Muertos celebrations at Westside Elementary School. The event included traditional Mexican dances, face painting, a competition of La Catrinas and music. Local organizations had booths to show off their wares.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico and other parts of Latin America and is a festive and colorful holiday that celebrates life and the loved ones who have passed on. A Day of the Dead altar was placed in the corner of the gymnasium. The altar, or ofrenda, represents a welcoming space for the spirits of deceased loved ones to visit, and its elements symbolize the connection between the living and the dead, the path for souls to travel, and the continuation of life. It honors the memory of the departed by inviting them to share in a celebration with their families through offerings of food, drinks, and cherished personal items.