Construction forces cancellation of Dia de los Muertos festival

DOWNEY — One of Downey’s signature events, the annual Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival, has been postponed for one year because the festival’s staging area at the Civic Center, which includes the library and the Downey Theatre’s patio and courtyard, are all being modernized and renovated as part of the city’s Measure S initiative.

Since 2013, the City of Downey and the Downey Theatre have presented the Downey Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival, attracting upwards of 35,000 area residents and families to the downtown civic area for the all-day, family-friendly event.

Attractions included ballet folklorico, music, film, fine art, street art, car art, food trucks, altars and much more.

Measure S is a $50 million voter approved initiative to improve and upgrade facilities throughout Downey, such as parks and fire stations.

Next year’s 7th annual Downey Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival is scheduled for Nov 1, 2020.