​Thousands enjoy Día De Los Muertos festival in Fruitvale
Sunday marked the Oakland neighborhood’s 29th Day of the Dead street fair.
Photos & Text: Estefany Gonzalez  
For The Oaklandside 
STORY HERE

Tony Guzman, left, and partner Lisa Alejandre sit in his 1964 Chevrolet Impala during the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

Maricela Dominguez wears Catrina earrings at the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

Elisa Gonzales, 30, was one of hundreds who painted their faces at the Día de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. Gonzales and her family have attended the festival since she was in middle school, and now consider it a family tradition.

Paula Hernandez, 40, honors life and death with her outfit at the Día de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. “This is my dead side, and this is my alive side,” Hernandez said, describing her half-face makeup.

Mia Guzman, 12, left, celebrates Día de los Muertos with her mother, Noemi Garcia, 45, and aunt, Ericka Garcia, 47, at the Día de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. The three were among many families who wore elaborate costumes to the festival.

Jesse Abarca, 39, left, and Stephanie Bahena, 35, wear outfits paying homage to El Chavo del Ocho and La Chilindrina at the Día de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. The characters are beloved icons of pop culture TV.

Lidia Rios wears a thrifted wedding dress and a skeleton knit vest her niece crocheted for her to the Día de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. Rios sees the day as a way to honor loved ones who have passed away. “I don’t get sad, and I don’t cry about it. I just think about the life they had with me,” Rios said.

Lilia Olsen, 72, an ofrenda artist, decorated her ofrenda with photos and several mementos important to her loved ones during the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

Lilia Olsen, 72, an ofrenda artist, holds a photo of her brother and mother in front of her ofrenda at the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. “You’re keeping their memory alive and it make you feel good,” Olsen said.

Sandra Molina, 54, left, and her husband Lalo Molina, 53, walk down International Boulevard with a bouquet of marigolds at the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. The couple have attended the festival yearly for the past 15 years to celebrate their Mexican heritage.

Mimis Mantra, 39, holds a bouquet of marigolds in font of her ofrenda during the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

Thousands of people gather around LA Catrina Stage on International Boulevard during at the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

Sandi Velazquez, 31, dances as Banda Troyana performs at the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

Diego Lazaro, 38, holds his 10 month old son Isaiah Lazar during the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Fruitvale on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.