Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at El Vaquero

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday to celebrate, remember and prepare special foods in honor of those who have departed. It’s a holiday full of love, color and good food.

All El Vaquero locations will offer food and drink specials, giveaways and prizes on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2.

In addition, the following select locations will be hosting celebration events on these specific days:

November 1

• 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Upper Arlington Location, 2195 Riverside Drive, Columbus, OH
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Shawnee Hills/Powell Location, 9130 Dublin Road, Shawnee Hills, OH

November 2

• 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Gahanna Location, 395 Stoneridge Lane, Gahanna, OH
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Olentangy/OSU Location, 3230 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH

For a full list of locations and hours, please visit: https://www.vaquerorestaurant.com/locations

What is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)?

• Día de los Muertos is not the same as Halloween. In fact, many families celebrate both Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Those who celebrate Día de los Muertos believe that at midnight on October 31, the souls of all deceased children come down from heaven and reunite with their families on November 1 (All Saints’ Day), and the souls of deceased adults come visit on November 2 (All Souls Day).
• The Día de los Muertos tradition dates back 3,000 years, during the time of the Aztec, and originated in southern and central Mexico.
• During the celebration, families make colorful altars in their homes in honor of their deceased loved ones. The altars are decorated with the four elements of nature: water, wind, fire (candles), and earth (flowers).
• Marigold is the traditional flower used to honor the dead. It is yellow like the sun and represents life and hope.
• Spending the night inside the cemetery, picnicking next to a dead family member’s grave, telling stories, and listening to music is all part of the celebration.
• Like any special occasion in Mexico, food plays a vital role. The Día de los Muertos traditional meal often includes Mexican favorites, such as tamales, but what most people look forward to during the season are the desserts. Pan de muerto, which translates as “bread of the dead,” is one of the popular holiday treats.
• From masks and costumes to face paint, skulls (calaveras) and skeletons (calacas) are inescapable during the festivities. Specifically, handmade sugar skulls are an iconic part of the holiday. The most famous skeleton of them all is named La Catrina.
• Humor plays a role in celebrating Día de los Muertos, as individuals believe their deceased loved ones are laughing at their jokes along with them. At the same time, the celebration is also meant to provoke reflection of the lives of those who’ve passed on.