On a late afternoon in October, Gilroy library’s outdoor patio was the perfect setting for creative inspiration. Stations were set up, offering an assortment of creative supplies, tissue paper, markers and drawing paper, and colorful icing and sugar molded skulls, all ready and waiting for kids and families to take part in the Dia de los Muertos—Day of the Dead—craft extravaganza.
Groups of kids and parents arrived early and eagerly waited in line to take part in decorating sugar skulls and create Day of the Dead masks and tissue paper flowers.
Marissa Jacobo, part-time children’s librarian, provided more than 100 sugar skulls, as well as the icing to decorate them.
“It’s a cultural element passed on from family to family,” Jacobo said of the meaning behind the Dia de los Muertos celebration. “It’s a way to celebrate and remember those loved ones who’ve passed away.”
For Gilroy resident Rachael Wong and her children Ethan, 4, Colin, 6, and Pierce, 13 months, visits to the library are part of the family’s routine and the craft event sparked their interest.
“It’s not our traditional holiday, so it’s kind of nice to learn about it and do something different,” Wong said.
“I think it turned out great,” librarian Elizabeth Munoz-Rosas said, adding that the crafts available offered a variety of skill levels.
Seven-year old Connie Salinas agreed. “This is such a great place because you get to do arts and crafts, and you can decorate stuff, and you’re really learning how to make stuff,” Salinas said.
Creating an event that would become a yearly family tradition was exactly what Gilroy resident Libby Kranz was looking for. A year-and-a-half ago, Kranz’ oldest daughter, Jennifer, passed away from a brain tumor. The library’s celebration afforded her family, including Jonathan, 6, Nicholas, 4, Charlotte, 2, and baby Bridgette, the perfect occasion to celebrate and remember their loved one.
“They are all taking to it a little differently,” Kranz said of her children’s reactions to the event. “I think my oldest one wants it a little more perfect, once he heard what it was for. And Nicholas is a lot more excited about it, because he knows it’s something for Sissy and about remembering Sissy.”
