Mercado on Fifth, Vibrant Arena partner for Día de los Muertos

Quad Citians will have another colorful, entertaining and Vibrant opportunity to enjoy and celebrate Hispanic culture this weekend when Mercado on Fifth launches its inaugural Día de los Muertos. On Saturday, Oct. 22, the afternoon-long celebration of the traditional Day of the Dead holiday also will give fans of the Mercado summer market one more […]

Quad Citians will have another colorful, entertaining and Vibrant opportunity to enjoy and celebrate Hispanic culture this weekend when Mercado on Fifth launches its inaugural Día de los Muertos. On Saturday, Oct. 22, the afternoon-long celebration of the traditional Day of the Dead holiday also will give fans of the Mercado summer market one more chance to enjoy some of what keeps thousands of visitors coming to downtown Moline every Friday night. The inaugural  QC Día de los Muertos is fueled by a partnership with downtown Moline’s Vibrant Arena at the Mark and Mercado – which recently closed for the season.

“It is extremely exciting to be in partnership with Vibrant Arena and that, together, we will be able to enhance our Día de los Muertos celebrations,” Anamaria Rocha, Mercado’s executive director, said in a news release. “We worked very hard to create this unique experience for our vendors and the Latino community.” Added Vibrant Arena Executive Director Scott Mullen: “We have been working with Mercado on Fifth for the past eight months to create this event followed by a concert in the arena featuring (musical act) Luis Coronel. It will be a day of food, fun and music celebrating our community’s Hispanic culture.” Día de los Muertos is a time when families joyously welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion. Celebrants honor the dead in a variety of ways including visiting and decorating gravesites; creating altars with flowers, commemorations, and offerings; and dressing up as a Catrina, the elegantly dressed female skeleton figure that symbolizes the holiday. Visit Quad Cities also has been partnering with Mercado, not only to help promote the Day of the Dead, but to develop a new brand and logo that the local destination marketing organization launched during the recent Hispanic Heritage Month to promote the Quad Cities Hispanic Culture throughout the year, said Dave Herrell, Visit Quad Cities president and CEO.  “Our community’s Hispanic Heritage and culture is important to our past and future story along with the brand narrative that we need to promote,” he told the QCBJ. “We feel that the parade and Mercado’s portfolio of events can provide a lift to tourism while building resident pride.” “Moreover, it is proven that communities that showcase their diversity and demonstrate it through special events are stronger positioned for tourism growth, talent retention, and broader economic development opportunities,” he added. “Plus, we all know that Mercado puts on great events so the Día de los Muertos Parade will be fun for families and amplify the positive energy of the amazing Floreciente Neighborhood and Downtown Moline.”

Interest has been high from the start and parade entries have been signing up since April for what organizers – including Mercado’s Ms. Rocha – hope is the first of many Quad Cities’ Día de los Muertos parades. The procession, which is sponsored by R3 Roofing & Exteriors, is scheduled to step off at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22. At press time, the procession’s route had not yet been finalized. Attendees are urged to visit Mercado on Fifth’s Facebook page for more details.  The parade also will end with a Second Line, which means the public can walk the remainder of the route. Walkers are cautioned, however, to wait until the end of the parade and the Second Line reaches their viewing spot to take their place behind it. Then, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., the party moves to Vibrant Arena parking, which is the site of the Día de los Muertos Food Truck Festival. Hosted by Mercado, admission is free and will include local food trucks, retail vendors, a beer garden, and music from Chicago’s Tamborazo Chanillos.   Among the mobile eateries expected are: Cocina Verde, Raulito Tacos, Tacos al Vapor, Restaurante el Mariachi, Rob’s Smokin J’s, Tamales for Hope, Mi Chelita, and Miguel’s Street Tacos. Retail vendors expected to participate include: Adolfo’s Imports, Yaya’s Boutique, Rosarios, Michelle’s Mobile Fashion Boutique and La Luz. Finally, at 7 p.m., Luis Coronel with special guest Banda La Super Ranchera will take the Vibrant Arena stage. The doors open at 6 p.m. He is the youngest solo artist in 13 years to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums. His “Quiero Ser Tu Dueño” has already been certified gold, and is approaching platinum status. Tickets for the concert begin at $25 and can be purchased at the Vibrant Arena Box Office and www.ticketmaster.com. For more information about the event, contact Ms. Rocha at anamaria@mercadoonfifth.org.

Día de los Muertos schedule of events

Saturday, Oct. 22:

Parade: Mercado on Fifth’s parade in downtown Moline begins at 2:30 p.m. The parade route still was being finalized at press time. Visit Mercado’s Facebook page for updates. Food Truck Party: 4:30-6 p.m. in the Vibrant Arena at the Mark parking lot (not at Mercado). Luis Coronel: Doors at the Vibrant Arena at 6 p.m. All ages are welcome, but everyone needs a ticket; available at https://bit.ly/3LBYnEZ.