City Walks Houston

The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a multi-day holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a joyful reunion. Houston, not surprising with its diverse culture, has quite a few events around town to celebrate this significant cultural holiday.

Our walk will take us through some area that will be hosting festival in honor of this holiday. Along the way, we will hope to see some colorful decorations featuring:

• Ofrendas: Home altars decorated with photos, candles, and personal items.
• Offerings: Favorite foods, drinks, and sweet bread (pan de muerto) left out for visiting souls.
• Marigolds (Cempasúchil): Bright orange and yellow flowers whose scent is believed to guide spirits to the altars.
• Sugar Skulls (Calaveras): Colorful skull decorations representing the playful and cyclical nature of life and death.

Starting from Fonde Community Center, we will head toward Historic Dow School where MECA Houston (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts) hosts their yearly DotD festival. From there we will make our way to downtown, passing Market Square, where they usually have offrendas on display. Midway will be at Discovery Green, where it is also hosting its own DotD festival. Then we will mosey on back to our starting point. Afterward, you may choose to leave or join us to head back to MECA's Dia de Muertos Festival to enjoy some traditional foods and festivities.

Parking: Several of the lots are not free but there is much free parking along the street and on the other side of Memorial. Come early and give yourself time to park.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. The heat in Texas is always a concern so let someone know if you are having a hard time. Light-colored and loose fitting clothing are recommended. For more information about hiking check out this very useful hiking website: https://www.hatsandmore.org/

Our organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness needed to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.

COVID PRECAUTIONS:
Bring and wear a mask when not hiking and follow the best practices to prevent the transmission of COVID.

Gathering Place:
Gathering is out front of the Fonde Recreation Center at 110 Sabine street
Call or text Alan at 713 863 8038 if you need help.

The Hike:
The walk is mostly sidewalks and streets with sun and shade.

Weather Forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.6905&lon=-95.3083

Hike map is in the photos.

After Hike:
MECA's Día de Muertos Festival
Dow School
1900 Kane St, Houston, TX 77007