The "Mega-Ofrenda"

Each year the city puts up what they call a "mega-ofrenda" on the Zócalo, the main plaza.  Some years these displays have been very impressive.  Last year the city government showed very poor planning in setting up the "ofrenda".  They were still not finished with it the weekend before Day of the Dead, and they immediately took it down the day after.  I did not even have a chance to see it.  This year it was completed in time for the big parade, and last Sunday Alejandro and I went downtown to check it out.

Towering above the Zócalo were two colossal "catrinas", female skeleton figures.

From there other, just slightly smaller, "catrinas" formed a circle.  There was one "catrina" for each state in Mexico, each one dressed in the traditional attire of that state.

Within the circle of "catrinas" was another circle.  Each state of Mexico set up an "ofrenda" representing the culture of that state.  The concept was very good, but the quality of the "ofrendas" varied.  Some states had much more impressive displays than others.  Two of the best "ofrendas" were from the states of Oaxaca and Michoacán, two states which are perhaps the most celebrated for their observance of the Day of the Dead.