The Day of The Dead celebration and parade returns to South St. this weekend

Are you ready for giant puppets, dancing skeletons, traditional Mexican music and Frida Kahlo look-a-like contests wrapped into one giant parade and celebration on South St.? Of course you are!

The Southstreet Headhouse District is throwing a huge Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival and Parade on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Here’s what you can expect.

The event promises to have incredible music, fun games, costume contests and, of course, delicious food. You might want to get there a little early, the parade starts at 1:30 p.m. at Philadelphia Magic Gardens and travels east to the celebration on the 400 block of South St.

After a 12-year hiatus, the Day of the Dead celebration on South St. is back and will celebrate life as well as reflect on those we’ve lost. The public parade will be lead east on South St. by a funeral hearse. “After all these years, we are proud to bring this beloved festival and parade back to Philadelphia,” said Executive Director Michael Harris. “It will be a day to celebrate those we have lost, contemplate our existence and reaffirm our ties with our ancestors.”

The 400 block of South St. will be closed for the festivities and transformed into energetic street fair. Here’s what’s on tap: Mexican mariachi bands and live music, enormous puppets, elaborate costumes, art displays and all kinds of pay-as-you-go food offering and drink offerings from South St. staples such as Baron Von Schwein, Copabanana, Farm Truck, Las Bugambilias,Tuk Tuk Real and Woolly Mammoth. Adult beverages will also be available for those over 21 years of age. After all, this is South St. we’re talking about.

Here’s a look at the live music performance schedule:

• Mariachi Pedro Villaseñor (1:45pm to 2:30pm)
• Los Straitjackets (2:45pm to 3:30pm)
• Fuego Nuevo (3:30pm)
• Tonantzin Coatlicue (3:45pm to 4:15pm)
• Grupo de Danza Nuevo Mexico (4:30pm to 5:00pm)
• Grupo Cenzontle (5:15pm to 5:45pm)
• Ensemble de Folklore de la Escuela de Música del Estado de Hidalgo (6:00pm to 7:00pm)

So come on out to South St. this weekend to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Costumes are highly encouraged. For more information, hit up www.southstreet.com.