Dia de los Muertos

It's a Mexican tradition, the "Day of the Dead"- when the dead are not just remembered but death is celebrated and highlighted as a natural part of life's cycle. In honor of the dead, altars are constructed with objects, gifts, and other things that commemorate our loved one's life. It's also believed that the dead 'visit' on this day and many of the effects on display at the altars are meant to welcome visitors from beyond.

Creepy.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures from the U.S.'s largest such festival, the Fruitvale's Dia de los Muertos celebration in Oakland, CA. Although SF's march through the Mission and altars at Garfield Square are also pretty cool, but a little gentrified these days. This is the closest you'll get to an authentic experience outside of Latin America.