The Mitchell Park Domes will host Dia de los Muertos celebration this Friday

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --  Dia de los Muertos is Wednesday, Nov. 2. Families will honor the journey their loved ones took to get to the other side. 

The Mitchell Park Domes will host a Dia de los Muertos celebration this Friday, Oct. 28 with ofrendas filling the desert dome, music, local Latino artists and food. 

Ofrenda translates directly to "offering," and the altars are one of the most symbolic and important parts of the holiday. 

"You would have breads and food and drink that would encourage them to make the journey here to celebrate with your family," said Christa Beall Diefenbach, the executive director of Friends of the Domes.

People leave these things on the ofrendas to encourage their ancestors, family and friends that have passed to come back and celebrate with them. The altars are decorated with colorful butterflies, skeletons, marigolds and photos. It's a holiday that dates back to over 1,000 years ago. 

"It's more of a healing sense for some folks," said Denise Manjarrez-Renteria with the Urban Ecology Center. 

Voces de America, a popular mariachi band, will play at the domes for the celebration. People will also be able to make decorations to create their own home ofrenda. 

The domes has been hosting the Dia de los Muertos celebration for more than 10 years.

"It's just a wonderful opportunity for us to embrace our Hispanic neighborhood, to encourage community members to come and join us to learn more about the holiday," said Christa Beall Diefenbach.