Clark County Parks and Recreation is presenting the 18th Annual Life in Death Festival, a two-day festival at Winchester Cultural Center Nov. 1-2, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring Mexican traditions. Winchester Cultural Center will be looking for participants in the following categories: food and craft vendors, ofrendas, calaveras, and a Day of the Dead art exhibit.
The cost for a 10' x 20' food vendor booth is $290 and for a 10’ x 20’ is $560. The cost for a 10' x 10' craft vendor booth is $160 and for a 10’ x 20’ is $320. Tables and chairs are not included. The application can be found online or can be picked up in person at Winchester Cultural Center. Applications must be filled out completely or they will not be processed. The deadline for applications is Sept. 21 by 5 p.m. Upon acceptance the deadline for submitting payment is Oct. 9 by 5 p.m.
The festival will feature many ofrendas, which are altars built by families and other groups in memory of relatives or other beloved individuals. The ofrendas are elaborate works of art; beautiful, detailed and sometimes huge. They will be displayed outdoors in Winchester Park, and prizes of $500 will be awarded to the three best ofrendas. The final day to submit applications is Oct. 14.
The festival also features readings of calaveras (“skulls”), which are poems, usually humorous, written in memory of people who are still alive. In Mexican tradition, they treat the menace of death with good-natured humor and offer a chance to poke fun at prominent people. Entries can be submitted in English or Spanish. Judges will award calavera prizes of $150, $125 and $100. Applications must be submitted via e-mail to Adam.Ward@ClarkCountyNV.gov by Oct. 23.
People can participate in the Day of the Art Exhibit, which will run from Oct. 17 - Nov. 9. Artists are advised to learn Day of the Dead traditions which honor the dead, but also confront death itself, often with humorous attitude. The “Best of Show” artists will be awarded $100 in the Youth category, $200 in the Amateur category and $300 in the Professional category. Artists must be residents of Clark County and must be at least 14 years old to enter. Artists may drop off entries at Winchester Cultural Center Oct. 9 and Oct. 14 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. The selected artists will be notified by email only about the status of their submissions on Oct. 16.
Those interested in participating in Day of the Dead activities can call the Winchester Cultural Center at (702) 455-7340 or Adam Ward, the coordinator for this event, at (702) 455-7031. For more information visit the website at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/parks or the Winchester Life in Death festival website at http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/parks/Pages/life-in-death-festival.aspx. Winchester Center is located at 3130 South McLeod Drive.
