Jess wrote on Oct 29, 2007 7:51 AM:plenty of opportunity to remember the dead in Oceanside.

dennis wrote on Oct 29, 2007 9:22 AM:Question? Why is this city so involved in celebrating a foreign pagan holiday as if it were our own? What ... nonsense! Good money spent on this charade.

TO DENNIS wrote on Oct 29, 2007 10:09 AM:Dear Dennis, I think that Halloween is more pagan than Dia de los Muertos. We actually incorporated Christianity to the tradition because of the Spanish. We do honor our dead people not like Halloween that is all about silly witches, monsters, DANCES, and candy. You should learn more about the tradition before opening your mouth. It seems that ignorance proliferates a lot around here.

tHEOTis wrote on Oct 29, 2007 10:55 AM:What a morbid "tradition!" When will these people ASSIMILATE???

TO THEOTIS wrote on Oct 29, 2007 11:19 AM:Well, this tradition goes back 3000 yrs. We did practice it before even Columbus arrived in America, so I ask u the same question. when Are u going to assimilate?U should be speaking Navajo instead of English. I should be speaking Mixtec instead of Spanish.

CAN WE JUST HAVE FUN wrote on Oct 29, 2007 11:35 AM:The day of the dead is a tradition holiday that celebrates the life of those who have passed on. It is just another event to get people out with their families and have a little fun. I am against open borders , but the Day of the dead causes no harm. Relax, breath in and enjoy a little life. Just look at it as another street fair if you don't like it. Good Golly!

Hilarious! wrote on Oct 29, 2007 11:46 AM:Inhale smoke..think of dead people...can't you folks do this in your homes or in your cemetaries? Yuk!

Oceanside resident wrote on Oct 29, 2007 12:21 PM:What a shame to see we have people here posting messages putting down this event. Whatever your beliefs, it is always good to have respect for the traditions of others, particularly ways in which they mourn their dead. The comments here are the equivalent of gatecrashing a Christian funeral ceremony and shouting that you don't like it. It's disrespectful and rude, and I hope you don't live in Oceanside, as I would hate to think that you are part of our vibrant, multicultural community. I am white, no Mexican heritage, and I found this day to be a wonderful cultural event and way to think fondly of those we have lost in the last year, whatever your religious beliefs. If you don't wish to take part, that's your choice, but making hurtful comments about others, especially after the tough week we have all had, is unnecessary, hurtful and - frankly - un-Christian...

Oceansider wrote on Oct 29, 2007 1:03 PM:I attended the Day of the Dead festival, it seems to have become very "Americanized" with the vendors selling skull iconed jewelery, handbags, t-shirts etc...it seemed that the only "Mexican" tradition in all of it were the actual alters, and even those seemed to have become mainstreamed. To appreciate such a tradition, one should travel to the country of origin and see how it is truly celebrated. There are celebrations that take place in the US that were never celebrated in their original countries (eg. cinco de mayo). I feel that for the most part, America is a melting pot and people bring their foods, music and traditions here so that they can be reminded of where they come from and share with others who may be ignorant to it.

re: TO THEOTIS wrote on Oct 29, 2007 4:57 PM:good idea, the only problem is that the Navajo immigrated to the south about the same time as Columbus travelled to the "New World" teh Navajo decimated many ancient cultures, and even recently have been trying to screw the Hopi over, just google that and read the story.

to Hilarious wrote on Oct 29, 2007 4:59 PM:This is a much more rational and healthy celebration than the white tradition of going to the cemetery and balling your eyes out, like that was going to do any good!!!!

To Oceanside Resident wrote on Oct 29, 2007 5:35 PM:You are forgetting a crucial factor! This event is sponsored by the taxpayers in Oceanside. I for one do not condone my funds being spent this way. And as far as being a non-white tradition, fine and dandy. Do it at home on your own dime.

your tax dollars hahaha wrote on Oct 29, 2007 6:55 PM:your tax dollars have nothing to do with this event. this is put on mostly by volunteers. i've been to the past 4 of 7 events. i've lost many good friends in this city including graham suchman. this is a great event, a time to think of all the good things in life and death. This is a celebration to honor those who have passed. Not everything is about money enjoy your life why you have it.

ProudofOceanside wrote on Oct 29, 2007 7:03 PM:Wow! There certainly are some strange people lurking in some dark corners of Oceanside... people who don't like cultural events. Goodness, I have to feel sorry for you. I'm glad you're not the one making the decisions, and that it seems that most people disagree with your thinking. Our town would be a lot more boring without events like this to liven it up. What a shame that you don't seem to appreciate the wonderful cultural mix we have, and would rather we all hide behind closed doors if we disagree with you. How... odd!

Yuck is right wrote on Oct 29, 2007 7:59 PM:Some of you folks are scarier than any Main Street Oceanside event I've ever attended. I am glad that you keep your myopic, two-dimensional-selves away from this one!

Oy Vey. wrote on Oct 29, 2007 9:12 PM:I began to type something to those who kvetch with prejudice here, but decided to refrain because once a mind is closed, it is nigh impossible to open. One may observe that the same hateful drivel is posted on any message board following an article that, for heaven's sake, celebrates diversity. How shameful to know that I live in a community teeming with bigotry beneath the surface, which, by way of definition, is not actually a community at all. Would these same individuals espouse these beliefs to those they denigrate in person? No, because anonymity is so much more pleasurable. Anyways, there was an excellent exhibit at the Museum of Man in Balboa Park a few years ago featuring Dia de los Muertos altars and South American folk art. Don't know if it's still installed, but the museum is always worth a trip anyways - a fabulous cultural experience!

WE Loved IT! wrote on Oct 29, 2007 11:47 PM:I had an awesome time again, I really enjoyed the food, music, and the cool family wearing the skelaton face paint.(you guys rocked!) Tax $$'s? Nah! Every booth pay's to attend. hhmmmm where did you get your info? To the anti-mexican....if you have not noticed yet, Oceanside is 90% HIspanics....so.....yeah!... you're bummed! You should move inland to like hmmmm. Nebraska? Any who... Dia de Los Muertos in Oceanside is the Sickest! RIP... All THE LOST LOVED ONE'S.... I Miss you MOM!

Vista Granny wrote on Oct 30, 2007 6:52 AM:I missed it this year, but I'll be there in 2008. To those who don't want "foreign" customs celebrated here -- I suggest you forgo your Christmas tree and the crib scenes -- they, I believe, came from Germany. And that American apple pie? France had those first. In Mexico, friends and relatives actually party in the cemeteries. Both the Japanese and the Chinese traditionally take food and drink to their dead. I rather like the idea. Sort of keeps them with us, rather than sitting on a cloud or whatever.

RIGHT ON GRANNY wrote on Oct 30, 2007 10:55 AM:YOU ROCK