What did you enjoy most about the day of the event?

CR: The setup was one of my favorite moments, from SVACE setting up the altar to my coworkers helping to decorate the plaza. It was for me like setting up a table and waiting for the guests. We were able to see the space changing from a public plaza to this explosion of colors with the papel picado everywhere and the altar so beautiful standing between the Empire State and the Flatiron buildings. It was a moment I will never forget.

MG: It was truly beautiful witnessing our Flatiron and NoMad community members honor their beloved family and friends who have passed by leaving an item on the altar or writing a heartfelt note on the altar’s chalk wall. It felt so special and healing. The dancers of the baile folklorico did a wonderful job engaging with the crowd and creating that feeling of celebration. All day long, I was also completely impressed by the sugar skull decorations I saw at the SVACE tent. We have such talented artists in this neighborhood!

What was your overall experience during the Día de Muertos event?

MG: The event itself exceeded my expectations. It was gorgeous, fun, emotional, authentic, and drew people of all ages and backgrounds. It really felt like a coming together of the community in celebration and reverence. As a new event you’re never quite sure what to expect in terms of turn out, weather, or if previously unanticipated issues might arise. We were fortunate to have amazing weather, sunny and warm, despite the November date, and due to that attendance was more robust than we even expected. That presented some challenges as we neared the end of the event and even extra supplies or giveaways started to run low. Just knowing that the community response was so strong and positive allows us to look ahead to next year with excitement and the ability to make needed adjustments to further enhance the experience for our guests and partners.

What were you most proud of on this project?

MG: I felt immense pride in seeing Claudia Rincon, our events manager, truly bring her vision to life. As a first-year member of our team—and with her desire to accurately and authentically represent a celebration so integral to her own experience—it was a lot to take on and the results were spectacular. The altar itself was the key element that absolutely had to be just right for this event to be a success, and I’m so glad SVACE turned out to be the perfect partner to help us execute it. I can’t wait to see how our Día de Muertos events evolve in the coming years.

Features

A Day of Celebration in the Flatiron Plaza