Friday evening was full of spirit as two of Stittsville’s events held at the Village Square Park brought out the best of both worlds – celebrating the dead and a pumpkin parade.
The Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos), held at Stittsville Market at the Barn, was a first-time event for Stittsville with many attending to find out what the merriment was all about. Brenda Cortes, owner of San Jose Mexican Taqueria and a Stittsville resident, wanted to share her Mexican heritage with our community by enlightening people to this annual tradition. Day of the Dead is a reuniting of deceased family members with the living with altars adorned with photographs of those gone, the favourite colours and flowers of the deceased. The families celebrate with a meal of food and drink beloved by the deceased with the hopes that the loved ones will join in. Lots of homemade Mexican fare was available and tasting of Mexican treats from the vendors. An uncommon celebration indeed where death is celebrated in such a way. Much was learned from this Mexican ritual and am pleased that this tradition has been introduced to our community.
(Photos: Stittsville Central)
The seventh annual Pumpkin Parade brought out many donations of left-over Halloween pumpkins to make the evening the success that it is. Cruella deStittsville did a fabulous job of leading the parade throughout the pumpkin trails – kids and adults were quick to join in! The pumpkins were judged and prizes won were donated by local businesses. Ten kids won prizes for their entries, but Frankie was the overall winner in the children’s category. Dallas Hodgdon won in the adult category and received a basketful of goodies. Many gift cards and other prizes were generously donated by Altitude Gym, MacDonalds, Ashton Brewing Company, The Jack Ketch, Rainbow Foods, Covered Bridge Brewing Company, Yogatown, Barres & Wheels, Quitters Coffee, Yogatown, Extreme Trampoline Park and Councillor Glen Gower. Brown’s Your Independent Grocer also donated a $100 gift card for a draw to be won just for entering a pumpkin. Not to be outdone, Cruella deStittsville, who admitted to ‘not loving kids, but just loves Halloween … and dogs’ donated her own special prize — a $100 gift card for Dog Dayz Dog Care. Prizes awarded, everyone helped out by tossing the pumpkins into the on-site dumpster. Thanks to Jason’s Landscaping for donating the dumpster and for hauling the pumpkins away. I can only add that everyone enjoys a parade!
Gracias to Brenda Costes for her initiative to bring to Stittsville the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead. As a born Mexican, I can appreciate her efforts. My family, including my two teenage boys, enjoyed the decorations, Coco characters and the delicious tacos and tamales. Also congratulations for the great job done with the Pumpkin Parade, which it turned out to be very successful even if the cold, humid weather was a bit hard to take. Although I understand that it is a bit difficult, I have a few suggestions for next year. The music must be louder and to put a big sing on the side of the Barn announcing the events. Good luck and I hope these two traditions will continue for many years to come.
Saludos,
Ana María Rutenberg