HUMBOLDT — Downtown Humboldt was abuzz Saturday with stories and memories of generations past, as a Dia de los Muertos celebration brought together literature, food, music and local history in a powerful testimony to the close ties that bind the small town together.
For the uninitiated, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Latin American holiday designed to honor deceased loved ones. Family members adorn gravesites with flowers and other decorations. Favorite foods and photos are often used to create ofrendas, or altars.
The day’s festivities began at Bridge Street Books, highlighted by author Maria Cruz, who detailed the lives of 12 young men from Humboldt, all of Mexican heritage. Every single one fought in World War II, one even present in Battle of the Bulge, and miraculously, all 12 survived.
“They all came back, and they all came back to Humboldt,” Cruz said. Two later moved away, but 10 built their careers with the Monarch Cement Company. 
Cruz’s manuscript, “Life Under the Shadow of a Smokestack,” details the history of Mexican families who came to Humboldt to work for Monarch Cement, and who lived along Cement Road, a stretch of 12 houses built by Monarch to house its immigrant workers. (An Oct. 24 Register article features an extended interview with Cruz.)
Cruz spoke for about an hour, holding the attention of an enraptured audience, many of whom shared similar memories. Cruz reminded the audience of the pains of segregation and discrimination. “There was no segregation among soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge, or in military cemeteries, but there was when they returned home,” Cruz said. Her stories offered lessons showing both how far our society has come — and how far we still have to go.
From there, the observances moved to Estrellita’s Mexican Restaurant, where food and drinks were provided as Mariachi Fuego of Kansas City entertained with lively music. Half of the restaurant was converted into a communal ofrenda embellished with marigolds and votive candles. 
Damaris Kunkler, event coordinator for the Works Family Foundation, coordinated the festivities, along with committee members Leslie Leroy and Brenda Torres.
“We wanted to provide a space for families to come together and celebrate who we are and who Humboldt is,” said Kunkler. “This is our second year doing this, and people have really been interested in carrying it on.”
In the evening, Cozy’s hosted a dinner show featuring music from the Josue Estrada band, and Stick’s Golf Lounge held a promenade with more music and dancing. All events were free and open to the public.
