Join Somos Lawrence and the Ballard Center for a Celebration of the Day of the Dead on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 6 pm to 8pm in John Taylor Park!

The Day of the Dead is a harvest event when reflection of the thin line between life and death is most evident in everything around us, and where we collect the harvest closing the cycle of abundance of the Spring and Summer. Offerings and altars for loved ones will be set in the community garden at John Taylor Park with a larger central installation to honor all of those who passed in the context of COVID-19. In addition to the over 9,000 deaths from Covid in Kansas alone, the context of the pandemic made it particularly challenging to receive treatment for chronic conditions, access emergency care, and receive visits from loved ones. It also made it very difficult for people to gather following the passing of loved ones. 

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council funded this project as part of the 2022 Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant awards. The Somos Lawrence and the Ballard Center project uniquely addresses intangible cultural heritage that is shared by many throughout Douglas County during this celebratory event.

** Families who wish to include a Day of the Dead altar at the event should reach out to Araceli at somoslawrence@gmail.com to arrange setting up an altar in-advance.