You know I love riding the El Paso Streetcar and this weekend you can not only ride the streetcar but you can do it for free and let it take you to the Día de los Muertos festivities on Saturday, October 23, in the Downtown Arts District. You can ride the streetcar for free from noon until 11 p.m. There will be a Dia de los Muertos parade from 4 to 5 p.m. and the streetcar will stop while that is going on.

FREE PARKING
You can park for free as well at the Glory Road Transit Center, 100 Glory Road, from noon to 7 p.m. One of the cool things that you can do is drop by the streetcar stop at Santa Fe and Henry Trost and meet La Calaca Maldonado and take photos with her. You will need to wear a mask in order to ride the streetcar.

La Calaca FB
La Calaca FB
loading...

WHO IS LA CALACA MALDONADO?
La Calaca Maldonado started doing appearances in 2015. She got more interested in Dia de los Muertos and decided find out more about the holiday. La Calaca says that finding more about Dia de los Muertos and the traditions behind it makes her more connected with her heritage in one of the most sacred and respected celebrations. She said she feels connected spiritually and cherishes the moments that she is La Calaca and able to honor beloved family members once again. La Calaca says that the tradition of honoring our dead must always be celebrated.

La Calaca
La Calaca
loading...

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU SEE LA CALACA
La Calaca Maldonado is based here in El Paso. She is available to speak at events both for entertainment and cultural educational events. There are so many traditions surrounding Dia de los Muertos that being able to learn more about it during the streetcar rides this weekend will be an extra bonus.

La Calaca
La Calaca
loading...

WHAT DOES LA CALACA MEAN?
I asked what her name means and she said,

"Well, my oldest daughter makes so many paintings of sugar skulls and instead of calling them sugar skulls she called them “Calaca or Calacas”. When my daughter was little and I used to tell her scary stories. I called the skeletons Calacas and my daughter continue calling them that. It reminds me of my daughter and when she was little. My last name is Maldonado, that’s why is La Calaca Maldonado."

La Calaca FB
La Calaca FB
loading...

I think that the tradition and history of Dia de los Muertos will be coming alive with a ride on the streetcar and getting to know La Calaca. Don't miss out!

attachment-calaca alligators
loading...

LOOK: How Halloween has changed in the past 100 years

More From KLAQ El Paso