Join us in celebrating the Day of the Dead in the Land of the Skulls on Saturday November 4th, 2017. Murphys’ merchants and tasting rooms will be celebrating our Eighth Annual Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos from 11-6 pm. Participating businesses and vendors will be offering authentic cultural art, food, sugar skulls, face painting and live music, as well as displaying ofrendas (altars) celebrating the lives of those who have passed on but are with us in heart and spirit on the Day of the Dead.

Join us for the celebration in the Park from 11:00 pm to 4:00 pm featuring face painters, folklorico dancers, rondalla musicians and artisan vendors.  Traditional food and drinks will be for sale in the Park until 4:00 pm or whenever we sell out. Purchases of food, wine and beer will benefit the Murphys Community Club who are responsible for maintaining and improving our lovely park along the creek.

The Catrina and Catrin Dress Contest will begin at 4:30 pm in the Community Park followed by a Candle Light Procession to the Cemetary (weather permitting). Those wishing to compete in the Catrina Contest must be signed up by 5pm on the preceding Friday, November 3rd, 2017.  Watch our website and Facebook page for more information as the date gets closer.  We will also host a children’s Catrin/Catrina contest earlier in the day.

Those wishing to participate in the procession should meet in the Park at 5:45 pm. Make sure to bring your flashlight and warm clothing. Mexican hot chocolate and pan de muertos will be available for purchase after the brief ceremony and traditional story.

New this year is a raffle for an excuse to come back to Murphys. Pick up your raffle tickets at The Spice Tin, Tanner Tasting Room or Marisolio Tasting Bar in the week before the event or at our booth on Saturday, November 4, 2017.  The winner and five lucky friends will be spending the day (in the summer of 2018) with a guide and four miniature donkeys on a leisurely hike in the Sierra’s to one of our beautiful alpine lakes. Along the way, the donkeys will carry all the food and drink while you stop several times for wine tasting and food parings conducted by a local winemaker. At the lake, you will have an opportunity to kayak before being taken by car back to Murphys.  You are your party will then spend the night in Murphys and enjoy a breakfast on us.  There are only 250 tickets so grab yours early. Find out more about your guides, Half Ass Adventures, at www.halfassadventures.com.  Meet John and Barbara and their miniature donkeys in the Park at this year’s Day of the Dead celebration.

In the event of rain, all activities will move from the Park to the Native Sons Hall at 389 Main Street, Murphys, CA.