Don’t miss the kiddos in the annual Día de los Muertos parade. | Photo submitted by Chelsea R. to the FTWtoday 2023 Picture of the Year contest
Día de los Muertos is right around the corner, and Fort Worthians are beginning to assemble their ofrendas. Originating in Mexico, this event is celebrated on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2 this year.
In this celebration of life, participants are reunited with the souls of dead relatives + loved ones. The honored dead are often given offerings at gravesites or ofrendas (altars) at home, and are celebrated with festivals.
What is an ofrenda?
An ofrenda is a tribute to deceased loved ones and is a central part of Día de los Muertos. The word ofrenda is Spanish for “offering.” These altars are created with several levels with various meanings:
Two levels: This represents earth and heaven
Three levels: The most common altar, with the floor representing the underworld, the middle representing the living world, and the top representing the spirit world
Seven levels: The most traditional arrangement, representing the steps to rest in peace
Altar elements
Here are a few items typically found on ofrendas:
Marigolds: As the official flower of Día de los Muertos, these vibrant flowers attract and guide the dead to the altar.
Candles: Each deceased loved one is represented by a lit candle.
Food: Dishes like tamales, mole, and pan de muerto are placed on the lower portion of the altar.
That’s not all.Check out other elements found on ofrendas.
Celebrate locally
Join Artes de la Rosa for the annual Día de los Muertos festival on Satruday, Nov. 1. Head to the intersection of North Main Street and Central Avenue at 10 a.m. for a parade and then to Marine Park at 11 a.m. for performances from local youth and mariachis, Ballet Folklorico, The Cliburn, Fort Worth Opera, and more.
Note: There’s rain in the forecast. Keep an eye on social media for schedule updates.
Drive a Supercar | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Texas Motor Speedway | $249+ | Join Xtreme Xperience and get behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porche, and more.
TCU Men’s Basketball | 7 p.m. | Dickies Arena | $25+ | The Horned Frogs take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in this charity exhibition game.
“Beetlejuice” (Touring) | 7:30 p.m. | Bass Performance Hall | $66+ | Watch the haunting musical based on the popular 1988 film.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Pâte à Choux | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Central Market Fort Worth | $85 | Channel “Great British Bake-Off,” and learn how to work with this versatile dough.
2024 Fall Japanese Festival | Saturday, Nov. 2-Sunday, Nov. 3 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Fort Worth Botanic Garden | $6+ | Explore Japanese arts and culture with vendors, food, Taiko drumming, and tea ceremonies.
Sunday, Nov. 4
Ultimate Bull Fighters | 2:30-4 p.m. | Cowtown Coliseum | $12+ | Watch competitors evade the bull’s horns in this blend of athleticism and artistry.
Melt Ice Creams is opening its fifth location in early 2025. Located at 700 Main St. near the Convention Center, the new shop will bring the local ice cream shop back to downtown after it closed its Sundance Square location in September.
Film
The Lone Star Film Festival will roll out the red carpet today through Monday, Nov. 4 with screenings at the Modern and the Kimbell Art Museum. Grab a last-minute $350 all-access pass or $10 screening tickets to see works like “I Voted,” “Lars Shrike Walks The Night,” and “Water Wars.”
Health
Medical City Fort Worth is now offering a new artery bypass option. The Cowtown healthcare facility is the first in North Texas to offer the minimally invasive treatment for patients with complex peripheral artery disease. (WFAA)
Number
$500,000. That’s how much UNT HSC was awarded to study social media’s impact on adolescent mental health and substance abuse. The grant from the Texas Children’s Mental Health Care Consortium will be used to monitor 250 adolescents + their behaviors toward disordered eating, self-harm, alcohol and cannabis use. (Fort Worth Report)
Trending
After 54 years, the red-cockaded woodpecker is no longer classified as a federally endangered species. A little birdie — our friends at WFAA — shared the story with environmental updates from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Travel
If you’re currently sitting at DFW International Airport because your flight was canceled — we actually have good news. A new rule in the US just went into effect and it requires airlines to automatically give you a full refund for canceled + significantly delayed flights. No refund request required.
Sports
The Dallas Mavericks returned to the court last night against the Houston Rockets. Get the game recap and key plays from the local expert Nick Angstadt with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Try This
Charming neighborhoods with big-city amenities just 15 minutes outside of Fort Worth? Tell us more. Take a look at our recent visit to Willow Park North, a master-planned community in Parker County, featuring a quintessential live-work-play lifestyle.*
Drink
You’re invited to afternoon tea, Fort Worth. This storied tradition at The Adolphus features a carefully curated menu that pairs with delicious tea from Zakti. Get a sneak peek of what to expect and see how you experience tea time for yourself.*
Finance
Inflation may be cooling, but car insurance premiums aren’t. Why? All insurance is now priced in real-time — so repair times, parts shortages, and credit scores all play a part in the final price. Take Money’s questionnaire on your best car insurance experience to see if you can save.*
The Buy
The Buy
A whole room space heater. Save $30 on a small but mighty space heater with a focus on safety — it has tip-over protection, a cool touch case, and will automatically shut off if overheated.
How do you feel about those “six degrees to Kevin Bacon” (or Bacon’s Law) celebrity connection games? You could have one soon with this Flower Mound mansion. The 10,000-sqft house on the shores of Lake Grapevine is the home of country legend Loretta Lynn’s grandson.
