Thousands observed Día de los Muertos with a festival of altars and colorful procession that wound its way through the Mission District.
Thousands of people adorned in vibrant dresses, elaborate headdresses and detailed skull face paint descended on the Mission District for the annual Day of the Dead procession. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
A year to the day after cancer claimed the life of 42-year-old food photographer Aubrie Pick, her husband Erik Newton stood before an altar erected in her memory.
“Mourning has so many stages, but her spirit is with me today,” he reflected.
The orange marigold-adorned ofrenda was one of dozens that sprang up for San Francisco’s annual Día de los Muertos procession, which drew thousands of people to the heart of the Mission District after sundown on Saturday.
Day of the Dead lore holds that souls of the departed return to visit each year but need guideposts to find their way home. Thus, the altars, or ofrendas, which use mementos as wayfinders for wandering spirits: food, trinkets, notes and most important of all, photographs.
The central role of imagery in the tradition made it a fitting way to grieve someone like Pick, whose life revolved around photography.
“This event feels like we’re here together experiencing this,” her husband said.
The Festival of Altars was the centerpiece of a daylong festival at Potrero Del Sol Park that included live performances, music and the nighttime procession.
Erik Newton holds his daughter in front of an ofrenda dedicated to his late wife, Aubrie Pick. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Alex L. was one of hundreds of people who painted their face in observance of the traditional Mexican holiday. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
An attendee holds marigolds to place at some of the altars. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Tommy Tran burns sage in the procession that made its way through the Mission District after dark on Saturday. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Axel, Bowie, and Lindsey McClenahan watch skaters do some tricks at the Day of the Dead festival. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Rio Rowland and Amanda Gibbon hold hands at the festival in Potrero Del Sol Park. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
People admire one of the dozens of ofrendas erected in the park for the annual Festival of Altars. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Bright orange marigolds are said to attract souls to the altars. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Ana Perillo, left, Nancy Fraser, center, and Michele Moreci, right, snap some selfies. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Noah Kircher-Allen and Lido watch the procession walk down 24th Street. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
An ofrenda dedicated to Marie Irvine, makeup artist to Marylin Monroe. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard