Riverbank celebrated Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead – on Saturday evening, Nov. 1 with a gala festival in the downtown area.

Day of the Dead is a holiday traditionally celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, though other days, such as Oct. 31 or Nov. 6, may be included depending on the locality.

The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and remember those who have passed on. These celebrations can also take on a humorous tone, as celebrants remember amusing events and anecdotes about the departed.

On Saturday evening in Riverbank, in addition to altars scattered around the intersection of Third and Santa Fe streets, food booths, vendors and community organizations joined food trucks to serve the crowd attending and viewing the various displays.

Also, dance and music crews performed into the evening on an outdoor stage set up on Santa Fe.

Dia de los Muertos is widely observed in Mexico, where it largely developed, and is also observed in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage. The Day of the Dead has become a way to remember those forebears of Mexican culture. It is largely seen as having a festive characteristic.