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Houston's first official Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead – celebration is scheduled to take place this November.
Festivities related to the traditional Mexican holiday honoring loved ones who have passed will kick off on Saturday, Nov. 6, ABC 13 reported. Councilmember Robert Gallegos took to Twitter to share his excitement.
"Houston! For the first time ever, we'll be celebrating #DiaDeLosMuertos this Nov. 6 with a festival at @HoustonTX City Hall and an evening parade through @DowntownHouston," Gallegos said in his tweet. "Couldn't be more excited to showcase this wonderful tradition on such a big stage in the heart of #Houston."
Judge Victor Trevino III, the Precinct 6, Place 1 justice of the peace, offered gratitude to city leaders for helping to make the November event official.
"Thank you Councilman @RobertGallegos, Mayor @SylvesterTurner and the Navarro Group for bringing a Día de los Muertos parade/festival to Houston on Nov. 6," Trevino said in a tweet.
Trevino also acknowledged the traditions and observations already taking place in the community.
"Shout out to Magnolia Park Día de los Muertos that will be having their eighth annual festival at Hidalgo Park on Oct. 20," Trevino said in his tweet.
Mauricio Navarro, who is behind the organizing of Houston's November observation, has previously organized Día de los Muertos events in Dallas, according to ABC. A Houston native, Navarro told ABC that he is excited to be organizing a Houston celebration as well.
In addition to the city's official celebration, MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts) Houston plans to host a Día de los Muertos festival on the weekend of Oct. 30 and 31, according to the MECA website. That event is also sponsored in part by the city through the Houston Arts Alliance.
The MECA Día de los Muertos festival is in its 21st year, the website states.