GALT, CA (MPG) - Galt Cemetery came alive on Oct. 26 with its annual celebration of Día de los Muertos, aka Day of the Dead.

Originating in Mexico as a festive remembrance of deceased loved ones, the event showcased performances of Mexican folk dances, Aztec blessings, mariachi music and a car show.

Attendees with loved ones buried at the cemetery built ofrendas, or altars, at their graves. Traditional decorations for an ofrenda include pictures of the person being remembered and foods that they enjoyed in life, along with marigolds and sugar skulls called calaveras. Guests placed pictures and other offerings on a community altar nestled under a tree.

The day began with a celebration of Mass; Galt-Arno Cemetery District Director Belinda Ellis said the service attracted more than 200 people. She was “thrilled” with the day’s turnout.

In a change from previous years, the performance stage was moved to the north side of the cemetery, ensuring that the acts had full lighting for much of the day.

Two ballet folklórico groups, Raíces Mexicanas and Nostalgias de México, performed traditional dances from different states across Mexico and many performers wore calavera face paint with their ornate dresses.

At the car show, a group of participants turned their ‘60s Chevrolet Impalas into ofrendas, honoring family members and friends buried in the cemetery.

The Yolotl Tonantzin Aztec dancers visited the personal ofrendas arrayed around the cemetery, performing a blessing over each one, before they held a ceremony at the community ofrenda.

Arturo Arroyo of Yolotl Tonantzin said the dances and ceremonial elements such as incense are “offerings for those who have left the Earth.”

Arroyo added that the dances strengthen the community and remind people to think about those who have died, who he said are “here all the time, not only one day.”

Arroyo was grateful that his group is always invited to Galt’s Day of the Dead celebration.

Sonia Leon was accompanied by her family in commemorating her son, Julio. They decorated the altar set up over his grave with flowers, candles and food.

Leon said she and her family have made Day of the Dead a tradition every year since Julio died in 2014 to “celebrate life for him.”

“He was a wonderful kid. He was always very joyful, loveable,” Leon said.

At another part of the cemetery, an ofrenda honored several Aguilar family members.

Gerard Aguilar said the relatives buried there include his brother, one of his sons and several others.

Asked why he celebrates, Aguilar said the holiday allows participants to “keep that established connection with” deceased loves ones but, he said, “this is not the main point” of Día de los Muertos.

“This may be my romantic answer but for (those who have died), for everybody here, I think they’d love their (living relatives) to come out, and everybody’s rejoicing, celebrating, that they’re not forgotten, they haven’t forgotten us.”