While at Beaches Sandbox for the Day of the Dead celebrations take some time to view the altars to the dead that have been built by Silvia Sanchez and Priscila Benavides.
Saturday, November 2 - Sunday, November 3
All ages
Free
The altar to the dead is one of the most representative elements of the Day of the Dead holiday, and serves to guide the souls home on that one night a year to visit their families.
Many people build altars or “ofrendas” (offerings) in their homes to honor their loved ones who have died.
Every ofrenda also includes the four elements: water, wind, earth and fire. Water is left in a pitcher so the spirits can quench their thirst. Papel picado, or traditional paper banners, represent the wind. Earth is represented by food, especially bread. Candles are often left in the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so the spirits can find their way.
Every state in Mexico has its own particular way of setting up their ofrendas. In some regions, you can find a flat surface with all the elements on it, while in others you can find several levels. The most common ones have three levels, which represent heaven, earth, and the underworld.
Come see the altars Silvia Sanchez and Priscila Benavides have built for you to enjoy at at the Beaches Sandbox during the Day of the Dead celebrations.
Day of the Dead - Altars to the Dead
CREATE.
CONNECT.
HAVE FUN.
Silvia Sanchez and Priscila Benavides
SILVIA SANCHEZ
Originally from Mexico, Silvia grew up in a family rooted in Mexican traditions, enjoying big family gatherings and their different festivities, from traditional Mexican cooking, to culture, to art and crafts.
Having her two children born and raised in different countries outside of Mexico, Silvia has always looked to keep her culture alive and to pass on the Mexican traditions to her children by making them part of their upbringing.
Silvia is proud and enthusiastic of promoting and sharing her Mexican heritage with the Beaches community where she lives and calls home. She is excited and looking forward to bring a bit of it to the Beaches Sandbox Day of the Dead festival.
PRISCILA BENAVIDES
Priscila was born in a city in the north of Mexico and moved to Canada 17 years ago. Since she was a child, she really liked Mexican traditions, especially the Day of the Dead, which is becoming more and more recognized around the world.
Living in Mexico, Priscila always liked to take classes about Mexican food, painting, and crafts. In the summers, I had the opportunity to work in summer camps with small children where she was able to teach them a little more about the holidays of her country.
She moved to Canada and her two daughters were born. She always tries to teach them Mexican culture, celebrations, and her language Spanish, which is still spoken at home.
Priscila feels very fortunate to live in The Beaches, where there is a community full of different cultures and traditions and to be able to meet people from all over the world because you never stop learning and appreciating what country you come from. She is very happy to be able to share a little of her beautiful country.
Activities For All!
Beaches Sandbox offers a wide variety of high-quality programming. Our goal is for everyone to be able to participate in these programs, regardless of their financial status. The Beaches Sandbox Financial Assistance Program is put in place to allow those who otherwise could not afford to participate, access to all programs offered at the centre.
