San Francisco Sunset District holds Dia de los Muertos event

While the Mission District is getting ready for its grand Dia de los Muertos celebration Saturday, the Sunset District held its event Friday night. 
Many from different cultures came together to remember loved ones that have passed.
“My mother died two years ago yesterday. It’s an opportunity to honor her history, to celebrate traditions as Latino people,” said Karla Rosales Barrios.
With her mother’s picture proudly displayed at her booth, Rosales Barrios shared her passion, inspired by her Nicaraguan roots.
Her business is called Pass the Sauced, to reflect on how food brings families together.
“My idea was to with words was to kind of create an image of people just sharing a moment of food, community and family,” she said.
The event had the traditional altars with offerings for departed family members. Florecita makes a special Dia de los Muertos bread.
“It’s an orange blossom bread that’s dusted in cinnamon sugar,” said Florecita Panaderia owner Ximena Williams.
Williams started her business just two years ago but she’s been touched by her customers that have chosen to share her baked goods for this annual celebration.
“As the baker, it means so much to see so many people putting it out for their loved ones and being part of somebody’s really special day,” she said.
While the event had one large altar for the community, several families decided to build their own. Anh Huynh is celebrating the life of her fiancée’s father and uncle.
“It’s pretty nice that we share this commonality across our different cultures and it’s just like to celebrate each other and our families,” Huynh said. “To show respect and incorporate each other into our developing lives that we’re building together.”
With the offerings, the hope for these families is that the departed souls return for a celebration of both life and death.
“Life is cyclical,” said Rosales Barrios. “Life at some point, we all die. When we are alive and we can grapple with those fears of death, then we can celebrate all the goodness of life.”