Celebrate Día de los Muertos in the Garden

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden invites guests to walk alongside a stunning, first-ever marigold carpet cascading down the iconic Rose Garden and view the Garden’s own altar at the top of the rose ramp Saturday, Oct. 29 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in honor of Día de los Muertos.

El Día de Los Muertos or The Day of the Dead is a festival in which the living prepares for and celebrates the souls of the dead. Throughout Mexico, it is traditionally observed on November 1 and November 2, when the departed souls return to enjoy for a few brief hours the pleasures they once knew in life. In Mexico, the observation of this feast is a deeply rooted and complex event that continues to be of great significance for many people. It is not only a day of celebration but a day of prayer and remembrance of friends and family members who have died.

To honor loved ones, numerous community organizations partnered with the Garden to paint the more than 300 wood bricks that will line the marigold carpet at the steps of the Rose Garden and include: Artes de la Rosa, Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (FW Chapter), Fort Worth Sister Cities (Toluca Committee), Federación de Clubes Zacatecanos de Fort Worth, Mana de North Texas, All Saints Catholic Church, and Carrillo Funeral Home. The Kimbell Art Museum also submitted 50 painted bricks to honor both the event and its 50-year anniversary.

Visit Fort Worth’s Director of Leisure Sales and Hispanic Partnerships Estela Martinez-Stuart says the event represents “a beautiful collaboration between the Garden and several Hispanic and non-Hispanic organizations to create a true community altar.”

“Families will want to come and view these creations or honor their loved ones and enjoy the Day of the Dead Altar special installations,” Martinez-Stuart said.

Mexican culture highlights from Día de los Muertos include the following:

• The Garden has planted more than 5,000 four-inch orange marigolds, Tagetes erecta, Cempasúchil, or the Mexican marigold, for the Rose Garden marigold carpet.
• Under the shelter house will be two trajineras, or colorful boats used to navigate the canals surrounding the floating gardens of Xochimilco, a borough south of Mexico City. The boats were constructed by Garden volunteer Don Irwin and painted and decorated by Garden staff and the external community members on the Garden !Celebramos! committee.
• Harpist Gonzalo Mata will play live music from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Paletas, a frozen Mexican treat made from fresh natural fruits, will be available for purchase.
• While the event takes place Oct. 29, the floral carpet and bricks will be on display through Nov. 2.