Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The city is preparing for Day of the Dead celebrations, and this years' festivities promise to be magnificent. In conjunction with the City of Puerto Vallarta, the deputy director of Culture, the head of municipal markets, the Institute of Youth Vallarta and Vallarta Hotels Centro, there will be traditional altars created, a Dead Catrina Contest, pan de muerto tastings, and many other activities promoting Mexican traditions.

"The goal of this contest is to have Catrinas made to decorate the whole of Agustin Rodriguez Street. The Catrinas should be between 1.65 and 2 meters in height and must use traditions materials - reeds, shells, Mexican fabrics and various types of paper products. The prize for first place is five thousand dollars," announced Langarica Cesar Santana, head of markets.

Day of the Dead celebrations represent a mixture of pre-Hispanic customs and beliefs. According to ancient history, when a person dies their spirit lives on in Mictlan, a place where they rest peacefully until the day Day of the Dead, when they return to their former homes to visit their relatives. This Indian festival dedicated to the Dead was declared by UNESCO in 2003 as a "Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity."

The ritual calendar includes two arrivals of the dead. On November 1st, known as Holy Innocents' Day, or All Saints Day, the dead children come to be baptized, and on November 2 all of the dead are honored.

The first celebrations will begin at 7:00 pm on November 1st, when one of the busiest streets, Calle Agustín Rodríguez - facing the municipal market, will be closed to traffic so all can come and enjoy festivities which will include an exhibit of Catrinas, Mariachi music, folkloric ballet, jineteo riding, charro, raffles, crafts and regional cuisine and fireworks.

Plaster skulls will be available for the children to paint, and the first prize winner will receive a swim with dolphins. At 8:00 pm, the Caravan of Joy (cultural walk) will begin at the Hotel Rosita.

November 2, the public is invited to come early and enjoy the regional sampling of Day of the Dead altars and poems written by the locals.