Members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces present Museum of Northern Arizona Director Dr. Robert Bruenig with an award of appreciation for hosting the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente during opening night on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces gather for a group photo during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces immediate past president Lydia Anaya gets into the spirit of the occasion during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces Member Christina Anaya greets guests during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
A courtyard under renovation posed no problem as members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and staff from the Museum of Northern Arizona worked together to create an Oaxaca-style cemetery during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Altars / ofrendas were the star of the evening during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Guests admire altars / ofrendas during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
An Oaxaca-style cemetery, complete with tombs and lighted candles, added a creative atmosphere during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Alma Angelina Aispuro shows off her beautiful ceramics as one of the many vendors found throughout the Museum of Northern Arizona during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Flagstaff artist Emma Gardner describes her Día de los Muertos-themed works of art to visitors at the Museum of Northern Arizona during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Community members from throughout Northern Arizona presented family altars / ofrendas and shrines at the Museum of Northern Arizona during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Some of the many vendors try to avoid the camera at the Museum of Northern Arizona during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Tempe-based photographer Gina Santi describes her photographs of life throughout Latin America to visitors at the Museum of Northern Arizona during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
A new exhibit on historic New Mexican tinwork from the Barth Hotel in St. Johns, AZ, greeted visitors during the opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
A new exhibit on historic New Mexican tinwork from the Barth Hotel in St. Johns, AZ, greeted visitors during the opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
A Mexican paper flower-making workshop was held during the opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Julia Canizales greets vistors at the silent-auction table presented by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces during the opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
A community altar / ofrenda honored dearly departed family members during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Anne Doyle, Heritage program manager at the Museum of Northern Arizona, successfully tries her hand at Mexican-style paper flower making during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Proud papa Frank Anaya and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces Member Christina Anaya share a moment during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces members Christina Anaya, left and Frank Moraga, greet visitors during opening night of the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo courtesy of Frank Anaya.
Juanita Hernandez of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces created this beautiful cake to honor the 10th anniversary of Celebraciones de la Gente. The cake was displayed on opening night on Oct. 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ. Photo courtesy of Frank Anaya.
AmigosNAZ staff report
FLAGSTAFF — Despite of some last-minute excitement regarding an under-renovation courtyard, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona successfully celebrated opening night for museum members of the 10th anniversary of Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 25 in Flagstaff, AZ.
Heavy monsoon rains this past summer delayed renovation work at the museum, including the historic Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard. However, members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and staff from the Museum of Northern Arizona worked together to create a fitting Oaxaca-style cemetery, an addition that was complemented by many visitors to the museum during the weekend.
The opening night featured a presentation of awards of appreciation to Museum of Northern Arizona Director Dr. Robert Bruenig for the museum’s efforts over the years in working with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces to create a successful Día de Los Muertos celebration.
The opening evening include music, food by Tacos Los Altos West in Flagstaff, the lighting candles at the altars / ofrendas and the and the cemetery, and family stories told by members of the community at their altars. A number of arts and crafts vendors could also be found throughout the museum. The event opened to the public on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27.
