Litl Bits wrote on Oct 30, 2006 8:34 AM:As a taxpayer, I strenuously object to my tax dollars paying for a MEXICAN festival! If people want to celebrate a Mexican Festival, they should go to MEXICO! The last I heard, we had not yet completed the NAU, and Oceanside is still part of the U.S.- NOT MEXICO!

Concerned wrote on Oct 30, 2006 8:49 AM:Sounds like fun. Wow, is it really still possible to celebrate our Latino heritage without the polarized sides coming out? Thank goodness there were no Mexican flags, nor La Raza sightings mentioned in the story. Personally, it's that radical mentality that most upsets me. May 1 ruined a lot of things. I hope celebrations like the above help change things.

Brian wrote on Oct 30, 2006 9:41 AM:I wish I has been at the festival, it sounds like it was really interesting and a lot of fun. I seem to miss Dia de los Muertos in Mexico every year, because if work. I've been dreaming of sugar skulls. It's a shame how grumpy and hateful people can be towards cultures they don't understand. Litl Bits should go back to Arkansas and attend those secret klan rallies with his inbred brethren, and let the people celebrate.

TO litl bits wrote on Oct 30, 2006 9:58 AM:Get a life. Why does every mexican holiday or celebration have to be about GO BACK TO MEXICO. What about OCTOBERFEST? Are you telling people go back to Germany???? This about celebrating the life of someone that has passed and if you would have gone you would of seen people who were not mexican rembering a love one. Sounds like you bits is a little bitter cause he doesnt know how to have a little fun.

Wendy wrote on Oct 30, 2006 10:05 AM:This is a wonderful celebration of those we have lost. No one is immune from loss. This Norwegian may adopt this tradition, thanks for the story.

Depart! wrote on Oct 30, 2006 10:21 AM:Deport "Dia de los Muertos" NOW! I'm so sick of this stuff!

Lydia wrote on Oct 30, 2006 11:11 AM:I was at the festival yesterday. It is my understanding the event was not paid for by taxpayer dollars but by the sponsors and the Main Street Oceanside business organization. And for goodness sake,when will people realize we are a country of immigrants and we should constantly celebrate that diversity. I am not Mexican and I found it an enlightened and uplifting event.

Concerned wrote on Oct 30, 2006 11:25 AM:I'm all for Octoberfest. And St Patty's Day. And the fourth of July. Not Cinco De Mayo, anymore. Sorry, again it was the protests and marches that changed my opinion.

Osider wrote on Oct 30, 2006 11:28 AM:Litl Bits and deports are ... You guys or girls have some serious issues! I dont see you bagging on other cultures that celebrate certain events. You might as well say go back to Germany, Ireland, Italy, Africa, Jamiaca, Brazil and all the rest. Better yet, go back to the state you came from!

RESPECT wrote on Oct 30, 2006 12:02 PM:Well,litl bits, no matter what celebration that is going on, there is always those that use it to complain and of course somewhat prejudice in this world. Respect the dead and in memory to all those that have passed. And those that are losing their lives as we speak. And yes there are Mexicans fighting and dying as well as other americans.. Sir. Get a litl life and respect.

Truthfully wrote on Oct 30, 2006 12:37 PM:Sad it is that people are still imprisoned by ignorance. The Day of the Dead is a wonderful tradition that even if some uninformed people don’t understand, it will continue to grow and gain acceptance by other cultures. Also, regarding taxpayers money, as far as I know, is not used because it is organized by a non-profit organization and based on donations from the private sector. Finally, the US is composed by diversity and is still the US. The event was simply marvelous, and to see it grow and get better year by year speaks very well of not only the people that organize it but also of people that attend and participate in this spectacular and breathtaking festival!

Open Minded wrote on Oct 30, 2006 12:40 PM:Only one word to describe the first comment (by Lilt Bits): IGNORANCE.

American wrote on Oct 30, 2006 1:00 PM:The downtown festival yesterday was my first as a new homeowner in O-side and it was terrific. I brought guests from Orange County who loved it, bought great stuff at the booths and enjoyed the classy event that O-side hosted at its Civic Center. I am proud of Oceanside!

Again wrote on Oct 30, 2006 3:25 PM:Many of my white American friends waste no time purchasing a sombrero and margarita mix to celebrate Mexican Independence Day on Cinco De Mayo. I usually stand by for Sept. 16 to celebrate (I think they failed world History). I tried to explain to them about the victory of The Battle Of Puebla on May 5th, 1862, but they look at me as if I'm confused. Then they really get this puzzled look when I invite them over for margaritas on Sept. 16 and greet them with "Happy Mexican Independence Day". Believe it or not, two of my buddies graduated from USC. I finally set them straight about what took place in Mexico on Sept. 16th and May 5th. Anyway..... They love the cause for celebration. The following is additional info I found on the internet in case your interested. Enjoy and Feliz Dia De Los Muertos. The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some recognition in other parts of the Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16.

I may be wrong wrote on Oct 30, 2006 4:51 PM:but isn't dead of the day November 1st? Doesn't the Catholic All Saints Day fall also Novmber 1st?

To I may be wrong wrote on Oct 30, 2006 5:05 PM:Your correct, but its kind of like having your childs birthday on a weekday, but you hold off until the weekend to celebrate.

DMann wrote on Oct 30, 2006 5:21 PM:Its always good to see what Southern California is going to look like when the invasion is complete. Viva la Mexico!

Who Cares? wrote on Oct 30, 2006 8:14 PM:The Whole pagan ritual thing seems very creepy to me. Hey, why didn't we see this celebration in Escondido?

FOR ALL IGNORANTS wrote on Oct 31, 2006 12:45 AM:ONLY FOR IGNORANT PEOPLE. Well, we celebrate Dia de los Muertos because that is an ancient tradition from thousands of years ago before Christ was born. Immigrants from Europe imposed your religions and languages to the indigenous people and you still are not satisfied. But TBTS we still keep those traditions and languages too bad too sad for you.Whatever you do we'll keep such traditions. I 'm not an American because America was the weird name your ancestors gave to this land. You claim u want us to learn english so why your ancestors did not bother to learn the native languages? We should be speaking Navajo. They were immigrants were not they? I speak Spanish but I hate to speak it because that's not my language. I don't know what's wrong with u, why you doesn’t celebrate German, Italian, Irish, and all other immigrant countries traditions? u don't celebrate because u don't want to. are you ashamed of your heritage? Is not America the land of freedom? we are free to practice whatever we want as long is good for our community and your comments are meaningless. So I can tell my children you are the real Mixtecs because I'm sure I have zero Spanish or English blood. On the other hand u can tell your children you are "AMERICAN" good, but immigrant descendant American because you have immigrant blood. Since your ancestors crossed an Ocean you are immigrants in greater proportion than I'm I just moved from the south to the north. Anyway my WISH IS THAT AMERICA HAS NEVER BEEN DISCOVERED SO THE PEOPLE WOULD BE IN THE LAND THAT THEY BELONG TO. (I apologize for this but there are people who simple have stone heads because they don’t let their minds to be opened to the beauty of cultures. It’s really sad that we have lived together for centuries and we still don’t get along because closed minds. Anyway, I don’t hate to speak English and Spanish and Mixtec. I’m proud of it but some comments make me wish that America had never been discovered. Hopefully we would avoid all these problems).

Truthfully wrote on Oct 31, 2006 10:37 AM:To All readers: Forget about Litl Bits, all he wants is negative attention, and we are giving him/her what she/he wants. We have to focus on the Festival, comment on the altars, on the ofrendas, on the music, on the dances, on the comparsa! We know how to have fun in a colorful way!

Cynthia wrote on Nov 1, 2006 10:18 AM:It was a beautiful day!!!

LMAO wrote on Nov 2, 2007 5:20 PM:DMann said it perfectly! You DMann!