Dia de los Muertos Parade and Party: Celebrating Life Beyond Death

Join thousands of Quad Citizens as we celebrate Dia de los Muertos.

Saturday, October 28 in Moline, IL
12 p.m. Pre-party at Mercado on Fifth
2 p.m. Parade on River Drive
Until 8 p.m. After-Life Party on Mercado grounds|featuring Banda Caliente at 6 p.m.
Noon - 9 p.m. Vendor and Food fair

The parade entries feature all types of groups: families, organizations, teams, and so many more. There is a float competition and lots of creative planning to showcase some amazing Dia de Los Muertos designs.

Read more about the 2023 event on the parade website: https://www.mercadoonfifth.org/2023diadelosmuertosparade

“Ohhh! We went and it was so much fun! So much color and amazing costumes and floats!” - Kari Hanson

“It was so much more a normal Midwest parade, not the typical walk with a group and hand out candy. It was a beautiful display of Mexican heritage. Vibrant colors, elaborate dresses, great music, and amazing floats. Plus there were people who drove from other cities across Iowa and Illinois just to see the parade. It’s definitely a must-see!” - Jennifer Verscha

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant and unique Mexican holiday that has captured the hearts of people around the world. It is a time for families to come together to honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away. This celebration, which blends indigenous Aztec rituals and Catholicism, is a colorful and joyful occasion that serves as a reminder that death is not the end, but rather a continuation of the journey of life.

The holiday is typically celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd, coinciding with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. These days serve as a time for families to come together to build ofrendas (altars), decorate sugar skulls, and visit cemeteries to honor their ancestors.

What I love so much is that we are celebrating the lives of our loved ones sometimes years after they have passed. Each of us knows they aren’t forgotten, but this vivid reminder brings them back to life for an epic celebration.

The Elements of Dia de los Muertos you’ll likely see depicted in the Group O Mercado on Fifth parade and party.

Ofrendas (Altars): The centerpiece of Dia de los Muertos is the ofrenda, an altar built in homes, cemeteries, and public spaces. These altars are adorned with photographs of the deceased, marigold flowers, candles, incense, and the deceased's favorite foods and beverages. It is believed that these offerings help guide the spirits back to the world of the living.

Sugar Skulls: Calaveras de azúcar, or sugar skulls, are colorful confections often personalized with the names of the deceased. They symbolize the sweetness of life and the impermanence of existence.

Marigold Flowers: Bright orange marigold flowers, called cempasúchil, are used to decorate ofrendas and cemeteries. Their vibrant color and strong fragrance are believed to help guide spirits to the ofrendas.

Calacas and Catrinas: Calacas are whimsical skeleton figurines, and Catrinas are elegantly dressed female skeletons. These figures are often depicted engaged in various activities, emphasizing that death is an integral part of life. 

In some regions, people paint their faces as calacas and catrinas, or in elaborate skull makeup, to participate in parades and processions.

Pan de Muerto: This special bread, shaped like bones and dusted with sugar, is a sweet treat enjoyed during Dia de los Muertos. It represents the communion between the living and the deceased.

The Celebration

During Dia de los Muertos, families gather for lively celebrations filled with music, dance, and the sharing of stories about the deceased. Dia de los Muertos is a time of remembrance, but it is also a celebration of life. The belief is that the spirits of the departed return to be with their families for a brief time, so it is essential to welcome them with open arms and share the joys of life with them. Come join us in Moline and celebrate those who have passed and those still living!

Written by Meghan Cooley

Meghan Cooley moved to the Quad Cities from St. Charles, IL, as an Augustana College student over 20 years ago. She left briefly after graduation and then returned to work in admissions and then marketing at Augustana College for 18 years. She now works as a consultant for admissions marketing and social media. She also does copy editing and writes for the Quad City Moms Blog. Now a true Quad Cities transplant, Meghan lives in Rock Island with her husband, Luke (R.O.W.V.A. and Augustana grad and Modern Woodmen employee) and four boys. She loves living in the Quad Cities and finds it the perfect place to raise a family, plan a date night, and go on adventures.