The Altares y Muertos Tour is free and open to all, and it has become one of the most popular and beloved activities of the Milagro Central Eastside Muertos Celebration.
Beginning at 11:30 AM, participants assemble in El Zócalo, the community gathering space at El Centro Milagro, and each guest is gifted a garland of silk marigolds to decorate themselves and their bicycles. Sometimes called zempachule or Flor de Muerto (Flower of the Dead), the marigold is an integral symbol of Día de Muertos. With their bright orange- and yellow-colored petals and strong fragrance, marigolds are believed to have the power to guide the souls of the dead back into the world of the living.
At 12:00 PM, the first group of participants departs on a route around Portland’s Central Eastside, stopping intermittently at these partner businesses that are hosting altars as part of the Altares y Muertos Public Art Exhibition:
Bar Botellón – 606 NE Davis St. Portland, OR 97214
Cargo – 81 SE Yamhill St. Portland, OR 97214
Cumbia Corazón – 222 SE 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
El Zócalo @ El Centro Milagro – 537 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214
New Deal Distillery – 900 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97214
Nossa Familia Coffee – 1633 SE 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Point West Credit Union – 1107 NE 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
River City Bicycles – 534 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214
Along the way, they are guided by volunteers from The Street Trust, helping ensure everyone’s safety.
This year, altars will be on public display beginning Saturday, October 24 and may be viewed during each business’ normal operating hours through Friday, November 6. (A link to the map of all tour locations will be available for download on this page beginning Friday, October 23.)
The Altares y Muertos Tour will include a brief stop at the second annual Blumenauer Bridge Witching Hour, which takes place that day, but no altar is on display at that event.
Proudly supported by the Better Together Grant.