Our schnauzer celebrates Dia de los Muertos
ADVENTURES WITH DANDY
Editor's note: The following is the 12th in an occasional series of features about reporter Mike Conley's young dog Dandy. During the fall and winter, Dandy will travel to different places in and outside of McDowell County and our readers can follow along and learn something about these sites, all of which are dog-friendly.
One of the best events we have here in Mar-ion and one that I am particularly proud to say happens in my hometown is Dia de los Muertos.
On Saturday, Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, returned to downtown Marion as a yearly celebration of Mexican culture and remembering our deceased loved ones.
For almost a decade, Marion has hosted this event. I was so proud to write about the meeting almost 10 years ago when the Marion City Council first gave its approval to Silvia M. del Campo's idea of holding the celebration in our city.
This fun and colorful celebration of Mexican and Hispanic heritage did not happen last year. But on Nov. 7, Dia de los Muertos was back and better than ever.
Rather than focusing on loss and sadness, Dia de los Muertos celebrates life, cherished memories and the connections that bring communities together.
The Mexican tradition is celebrated in early November. Dia de los Muertos is a joyful time that helps families celebrate their memories through food, music, art and community traditions. It is usually held on Nov. 1, but Marion's celebration took place Saturday, Nov. 7, from noon to 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Marion's North Block was alive with music from La Sonora Carolina, salsa dancing with opportunities to join in, food and craft vendors and free carnival activities.
We brought Dandy, a miniature schnauzer, to the North Block, where all three of us enjoyed the fun and activities.
Karin and I adopted Dandy in December 2023 and added him to our brood of two cats and two other dogs. Dandy is now 3 years old, and we are still trying to get him better acquainted with other people and other dogs. We want to take this young canine to local places where dogs are welcome so he can explore what our incredible local community has to offer.
This was not his first visit to Dia de los Muertos. He attended the 2024 event and had his picture made with the event's founder Silvia M. del Campos and the young women who were dressed in Dia de los Muertos attire.
On Saturday, Mayor Steve Little was there to help kick off the festival. The consul general of Mexico came from Raleigh to spend the weekend in Marion and spoke to the crowd.
This year's event featured a dog costume contest. It is inspired by Mexican traditions about dogs serving as guides in the afterlife and alebrijes, the colorful, fantastical creatures often combining features of different animals.
The dog costume contest started at 1:30 p.m. There were first-place, second-place and thirdplace prizes and a People's Choice award.
We decided not to enter Dandy in the dog costume contest. That is because he won first place in the Best Dressed Pet Contest at Mountain Glory in 2025 and he already has his trophy from that competition. He won last year for going dressed as Krypto the Super Dog from the Superman and Supergirl comic books and movies.
The other dogs wore colorful and creative costumes. One dog was dressed as a spider complete with eight legs, and another wore a peeled banana outfit.
At the heart of the festival is a community altar where visitors were invited to place photographs or meaningful keepsakes honoring loved ones who have died.
The community altar, or community ofrenda, was on display all day. Everyone was welcome to bring photos of their loved ones, incense, candles, treats enjoyed by the loved one, or items to decorate the ofrenda (like sugar skulls or flowers).
Offerings are placed upon the ofrenda to help us remember, learn about, and celebrate their lives such as photos of lost loved ones, candles and incense, marigolds, treats or snacks enjoyed by your ancestors, and decorations like skulls, papel picado, or catrina, according to organizers.
Saturday, Nov. 7, provided perfect weather for Dia de los Muertos in Marion. Both young and old came out for the occasion, and many were appropriately dressed. Children could get their faces painted for Dia de los Muertos. There were also lots of vendors up and down the North Block. They included food trucks serving delicious items like churros, tacos and nachos. The McDowell County Public Library brought the Bookmobile to the celebration. The McDowell County Animal Shelter also brought some dogs available for adoption.
While strolling around downtown, we were happy and excited to be reunited with some friends whom we had not seen in a long time. All of us there on Saturday enjoyed one of the best events Marion has to offer.
Later, Silvia del Campo announced on Facebook that this would be the last Dia de los Muertos.
"Now, as every season comes to an end, I couldn't imagine a better way to wrap this one up," she wrote on Facebook. "The purpose of the Day of the Dead Festival has always been to expand the cultural horizons of our beloved McDowell County. As we concluded the final chapter of this festival, I see that purpose fulfilled. With many people commemorating those loved ones who have passed away, and remembering the times they spent together. Though this festival has come to an end, there is a lasting legacy of love, encouragement, honor, commemoration, and sense of community that will remain for many years to come."
"I will still place an Ofrenda each year at MACA, but there won't be a Downtown Festival anymore," she also wrote.
Even so, I still hope we can continue the Dia de los Muertos festival in Marion.
And if Dandy could talk, he might say something like this:
"Hello readers of The McDowell News, this is Dandy! I had a really good time at Dia de los Muertos, and I'm looking forward to more adventures. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my visits to the Pea Vine Trail, Bigfoot Festival, Mountain Glory, Hillman Beer, Mica Town Brewing Nebo, Little Switzerland, Lake James State Park, Smokey Ques, Fonta Flora's Whippoorwill Farm and so many other places in our beautiful community. I know it has been a while since I had another adventure. There have been things that come up unexpectedly, and the weather sometimes kept me from getting out like I wanted to. But I am excited for more future adventures as we head into the holiday season. Let me know what you think of my adventures, and if you have any ideas for places for me to visit, just email my dad at nconley@mcdowellnews.com. See you again soon!"
