Parks and Rec

Dia de los Muertos Celebration Returns to Rancho Guajome Adobe

A holiday tradition in Mexico and other parts of the world will be celebrated Saturday in Vista. 

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For the third year in a row, Rancho Guajome Adobe is inviting the community to a colorful festival called Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. The 3,000-year-old tradition is celebrated as a holiday in Mexico and other parts of the world. Celebrants honor relatives who have passed away with small altars and gifts of their favorite foods, beverages, flowers and more.

Typically celebrated on November 2, County Parks is hosting festivities for Dia de Los Muertos from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26 at Rancho Guajome Adobe in Vista. The park is located at 2210 North Santa Fe Ave. in Vista, 92083. Admission and parking are free.

Visitors can enjoy traditional music and dancing, food, blacksmithing demonstrations and self-guided tours of the adobe house which dates back to 1853. The restored 7,000-square-foot home features period furnishings and is a National Historic Landmark. Altars and memorials will be set up inside in honor of the holiday.

Children can try two new activities at the Dia de los Muertos event this year. Besides making adobe bricks and balloon ghosts, kids can learn how to make ropes and pan for gold. Face painting and rides on a tractor-drawn wagon will also be offered.

SDG&E is sponsoring the event. For more information about the festivities, call Rancho Guajome Adobe at (760) 724-4082.

Folklorico dancers perform at a previous Dia de los Muertos celebration at Rancho Guajome Adobe.