Downey's Dia de los Muertos festival to return in 2018

DOWNEY -- Downey’s Dia de los Muertos festival will return Sunday, Oct. 28, with an art festival component, organizers announced. 

The festival will open at 11 a.m. outside the Downey Theatre when a troupe of 35 Aztec dancers “imbue the area with good spirits.” 

Other highlights include: 

■ A sampling of Mexican music formats on the Zocalo stage in the theater courtyard
■ An “urban art alley” featuring 20-ft. tall sculptures and a parade of 10-ft. tall catrinas
■ Variety acts on the community stage, including mariachi bands, singers and ballet folklorico
■ A fine art exhibit in the theater lobby
■ Car altars
■ A papel picado demonstration by artist Aurora Sanchez
■ Calaveras decorating stations
■ 20 booths for local merchants, stores, products and services
■ 50 vendors selling Dia de los Muertos merchandise

Admission to the festival is free. The festival is entering its sixth year.