A decade ago, Casa de Cultura Tlanese hosted its first small Día de Muertos​​ event in Salem. On Saturday hundreds gathered at McKay High School to see traditional Mexican folkloric ballet performed by the group, as well as song and dance from other local entertainers. The local celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead has grown significantly over the years and now includes face painting, handicrafts from local artists, performers of all ages and a large ofrenda for people to remember dead relatives and friends. One of the goals is to bring Mexico to young Salemites who might never have visited the country their family comes from, organizers said. A balloon arch greets visitors to Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) The ofrenda at Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Young dancers with Ballet Folklorico Tlanese perform at Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Marigolds surround the ofrenda at Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) A community ofrenda at Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Danza Azteca performs “Fuego Nativo de las Americas” at Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) A volunteer paints faces at Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Photos of departed loved ones on the ofrenda at Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Young dancers with Ballet Folklorico Tlanese perform at Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) A volunteer paints faces at Casa de Cultura Tlanese’s Dia de los Muertos celebration at McKay High School on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241. A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE– If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE. The post PHOTOS: Salem celebrates Día de los Muertos​​ appeared first on Salem Reporter.