Run with Los Muertos race, performances and Day of the Dead ofrendas return to Coachella
The annual Run with Los Muertos 5K race and block party will return to downtown Coachella on Saturday.
The event commemorates the Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday which honors loved ones who have died, and will include locally made ofrendas that display pictures and tokens to remember them by. This will be the city's ninth year hosting the event.
A car show featuring over 100 cars will kick things off, with set-up at 3 p.m. and an ongoing judging contest during the celebration. At 4 p.m., the traditional pre-race procession — absent last year due to COVID-19 restrictions — is making a comeback. School groups and nonprofit members from the Coachella Valley, accompanied by large-scale dancing puppets, will join the parade-like walk leading up to the start of the race at 6 p.m.
While the block party is free and open to the public, there is a $40 fee to register to run. Those who want to register or get more information can visit runwithlosmuertos.com.
Also part of the event are live performances from east Los Angeles-based rockers Tropa Magica, San Diego Music Awards winner The Sleepwalkers, Cumbia Machin, Segundo Oficio and Koka, along with DJ sets by Ana Brown, Pedro Le Bass and DJ Fathom. They are scheduled throughout the evening, across three stages.
Other performances include a monologue from a "Day of the Dead Catrina" and dancing by Danza Azteca and a ballet folklórico troupe.
Art installations, food vendors and a beer and wine garden will be available until midnight.
Through a partnership with the Mexicali Board of Tourism, renowned Chef Ilean Padilla will be preparing her unique “desert cuisine” inside the beer garden, with produce provided by The Packhouse at Aziz Farms, based in Thermal.
“One of our goals is to showcase the best of our local talent as well as import exciting and diverse entertainment options,” Tizoc DeAztlan, the director of the race, said in a statement. “This year’s lineup is loaded with unique theater, dance, music and art aspects. There is truly something for everyone.”
Celebrating with Raices Cultura
Like in previous years, a portion of the funds gathered from registrations to Run with Los Muertos will go to Raices Cultura, a nonprofit that offers art education and culturally centered events for the eastern Coachella Valley community.
During the months of October and November, Raices Cultura often provides art and heritage workshops, as well as artist stipends; produces various large art installations; funds ofrenda setups; and partners on projects for Day of the Dead celebrations across the valley, including for the Run with Los Muertos event.
"Revenue that comes from the run is minimal, as they aren't fundraising for the organization, and those funds are allocated to our general operating expenses," said Marnie Navarro, the nonprofit's executive director. "The primary thing is we partner on a free community event to celebrate Day of the Dead."
Navarro said Raices Cultura will receive a $5 donation from each paid registration, minus any credit card processing fees. The amount can be increased if the runner wishes to give more.
"One thing I want to underscore is that we appreciate every contribution to the organization — every dollar helps! And we prize our strong partnerships," Navarro said.
Eliana Perez covers the eastern Coachella Valley. Reach her at eliana.perez@thedesertsun.com or on Twitter @ElianaPress.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Run with Los Muertos race, Day of the Dead ofrendas back in Coachella
