ALBUQUERQUE, NM – For many people of Mexican descent, Día de los Muertos is a time to send deceased loved ones back to the land of the living.

Old Town goes out of its way to accommodate New Mexicans who want to honor their loved ones.

“I like the idea of ​​every person remembering their family members who have passed away,” said Albuquerque resident Camy Condon.

With marigolds to guide them and offerings to nourish them, our deceased loved ones come to visit on Día de los Muertos.

In the Old Town, pictures are placed and agendas are set for this special visit.

“We transformed the Old Town Plaza into Plaza de los Recuerdos. “It’s a place where members of the community can come and host programs for their loved ones that they want to remember in their own way,” said Sara Mancini, committee chair of the Historic Old Town Association.

On Fridays and Saturdays, community members are invited to visit a variety of events at the plaza and local businesses in Old Town.

“Walking around the Old City, you can connect with people through their lost loved ones. It’s touching, but it’s also a way to connect with those who are still with us and share those memories and the impact they had on one’s life,” Mancini said.

People can get their faces painted, learn to make papel picados, and take a private tour of the historic district.

“Everyone gets a little kit, just like their own little starter program. “We’ll take you around for 75 minutes and tell you about the meaning, traditions and culture of the Day of the Dead,” said Misty Lundy, manager of ABQ Tours.

John Simpson and his family come all the way from Pennsylvania. They look forward to learning about the culture through the Catrina procession and memorial march.

“We think Día de los Muertos is becoming more and more popular in pop culture, but we wanted her to see the real Día de los Muertos and experience it the right way and in the right place,” Simpson said.

After much research, the Simpsons decided that Old Town was the perfect location.

“I’ll tell you my daughter’s first impression; we were just walking down the square and she said, ‘This is the best ride we’ve ever had,'” Simpson said.

For the full schedule of events in the Old City on Saturday, Click here.