Moravida '23

MOSES LAKE — The Second Annual Moravida Festival was held Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Grant County Fairgrounds with a pre-party kickoff dance held the night before. 

This was a family-friendly event meant to be a gathering place to commemorate lost loved ones and celebrate Hispanic culture.

The Moravida Festival was a blend of both Dia de los Muertos and Halloween as it featured traditional Mexican dances and live bands as well as a Trunk-or-Treat and costume contest. Throughout the festival, there were vibrant and colorful decorations alongside the dozens of marigold flowers.

There were a variety of food vendors present at the festival with savory foods such as tacos and sweets like donuts and churros. Aside from this, there were vendors who sold more handcrafted accessories.

The festival was based around the traditional holiday Dia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead. This is a traditional Mexican holiday that is celebrated Nov. 1-2 where families honor their ancestors and loved ones that have passed on.

With the festival having its roots in Dia de los Muertos, one of its staple attractions was the community altar where people were invited to create a space to remember loved ones that have passed. This shared space was filled with ofrendas featuring pictures of people who have passed on along with their favorite foods and other items that they loved in life, all of which are essential to the tradition.

From 3-6 p.m., the Lakesiders Car Club hosted the festival’s Trunk or Treat where cars were decorated with different themes and a contest to vote on whose car was the best. Moses Lake’s Fire and Police Departments also participated in the event.

Lakesiders’ president Anthony Reyes said much like the festival the Trunk or Treat kept to the theme of having Dia de los Muertos combined with what would be considered traditional Halloween. At the start of the Trunk or Treat there was a tent set up with an ofrenda for individuals that have passed decorated with sugar skulls which are another aspect of Dia de los Muertos.

The Lakesiders had also put together piñatas for the kids and a custom-made bike which would be auctioned off with proceeds going to help fund a new playground at Larson Heights Elementary School. The bike ended up raising a little more than $1,500.

For the kids, there were a couple of play areas featuring different activities such as an inflatable bumper ball arena as well as a goat-filled petting zoo brought in by Farm and Rescue.

Building B at the Fairgrounds housed an area where people could sit and eat while watching live entertainment such as the different bands and dancers invited to perform. This area also had a photo booth and various arts and crafts themed around the festival.

A costume contest was held later in the day as well as a contest for the best Catrina. La Catrina is an icon for Dia de los Muertos and is typically depicted as a skeleton woman adorned with flowers and elegant clothing.

The festival finished off with a free showing of the movie “The Book of Life” which is based on these traditions.

    People attending the festival such as this skeleton T-rex were encouraged to dress up in costume to celebrate.
  

    Lakesiders president Anthony Reyes and member Giovanni Maldonado stand in front of their tent at the front of the Trunk or treat. Next to them is the custom bike that they sold on auction.
  

    Traditional dances were a colorful and lively part of the 2023 festival.