Life, Death and Legacy at El Camino De Los Muertos

Photo by Miguel Ozuna

The second annual El Camino de los Muertos, a campus-wide celebration of Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, hosted a record-breaking 7,000 attendees during the three-hour event. This landmark event was not only a great triumph for the University but also for the local Mexican American community. The celebration consisted of vendors selling food and merchandise, music, photo opportunities, live dance performances from University students, media presence from Univision, and ofrendas lining the pathway to the Mission. 

Ofrendas, altars specifically adorned with pictures and memorabilia of loved ones who have passed away, are the heart and soul of the Dia de los Muertos holiday. The ofrendas serve as a way for families and friends to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have come before them. Placing a picture of the departed family member on the ofrenda surrounded by candles, marigolds, food and other traditional decorations, honors the spirits of the dead and allows their memory to live on. 

“Losing a loved one is painful,” said Yesenia Magdaleno-Solis of the Alumni Association. “To me, Dia de los Muertos has shaped how I reflect on my mortality, the love we share with people we care about, and what it means to be human. With the recent passing of my paternal abuelito, who migrated to the U.S. with the Bracero Program and his 11 children, I have practiced acknowledging Dia de los Muertos as a birthday celebration for the dead, our loved ones, who are no longer beside us yet always in our hearts”. 

The ofrendas, adorned with their vibrant colors and candles, were prominently displayed on campus. “As our Latiné/x community grows and as we strive to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution - fostering connection, understanding, and belonging for all,” said Eva Blanco Masias, vice president of enrollment management when asked about the importance of this event to the University. “By welcoming the surrounding community, building altars, and enjoying music, dance, food, art and storytelling, this event creates an uplifting cultural experience and invites everyone to participate in a meaningful, vibrant and shared community celebration.” 

Since last year’s attendance of over 3,000 people greatly exceeded the estimated 600 attendees, there was extra care put into the layout of this year’s event. Last year, the event was located in front of O’Connor Hall. Now, the event stretched from the pathway between the Mission Santa Clara and Vari Hall. There were food trucks in the Lucas Hall parking lot, vendors lining the path between SCDI and Heafy as well as a performance area in the SCDI courtyard. 

“If last year exceeded expectations, this year surpassed everything,” said Raymond Plaza from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, “We learned a lot from last year, and with the support of multiple offices, we were able to expand the footprint (to different areas of campus) in order to take the event to the next level”. 

El Camino de los Muertos was not just advertised to the students and faculty of the University; there was a focus on creating a space where all of the community could join and celebrate. “We are grateful to our campus partners for their engagement and support as well as the major support from Univision and the Mexican Consulate of San Jose,” said Plaza. 

“People want to be here,” said Magdaleno-Solis. Attendance was not the only measure of how special and important this event was. Screaming children played tag in the grass, families with their faces painted to represent skeletons, costumes were worn by adults and children alike, music filled the courtyard as the folklorico dancers twirled and laughter bubbled from the food areas as love poured out of every ofrenda. 

“Amid all of the division that we are seeing in the national landscape, this event showed that we can come together as a community and celebrate our traditions and culture without all of the strife,” said Plaza. 

Photo by Miguel Ozuna

El Camino de los Muertos was by all tense and purpose a rousing success, proving once again how vital events like this are to campus and the larger Santa Clara and San Jose communities. The third annual El Camino de los Muertos will be held on November 1, 2025. 

All photos courtesy of Miguel Ozuna.