Midwest Mujeres, in partnership with the Fitchburg and Waunakee public libraries, is thrilled to present two upcoming Día de los Muertos events that celebrate culture, community, and tradition. These gatherings are part of a broader initiative to connect the Latino community with local libraries—spaces that have historically been underutilized by immigrant Latinos. Funded by the Beyond the Page program and inspired by the Ripple Project, these events aim to foster inclusion and create welcoming public spaces for all.
Día de los Muertos with Midwest Mujeres Events!
Fitchburg Library's Día de los Muertos
Location: 5530 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Date: Saturday, Oct 19th | 11 AM - 1 PM
Activities:
Play the Loteria game!
Drink Champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate)
Eat Pan de Muerto (Special Day of the Dead bread).
Make crafts for children
Learn about the ofrenda and the meaning of this celebration.
Waunakee Library LINK
Location: 201 N Madison Street, Waunakee, WI
Date: Saturday, Oct 26th from 10 AM -1 PM
Activities:
Showing of Disney’s movie Coco for toda la familia!
Serving Mexican hot chocolate (Champurrado) and Mexican sweet bread.
Day of the Dead crafts for the children
The Latina Waunakee Public Library Ambassadors project will present the meaning of this celebration.
Research shows that immigrant Latinos are less likely to use public libraries than other groups, including U.S.-born Latinos. However, those who do use libraries tend to place high value on these resources. In Dane County, Latinos make up 6.9% of the population, the largest ethnic minority group in the area. For organizations like Midwest Mujeres, connecting these families with public resources is vital to building a more equitable community.
Bridging Tradition and Community
Araceli Esparza, a first-generation Latina speaker, consultant, and director of Midwest Mujeres, recognizes the significance of building bridges between Latino communities and public institutions. “This work is important to build initial relationships with public spaces and Latinas, to ensure they are welcomed,” says Esparza. The Midwest Mujeres Ambassadors are the Latina mujeres organizing these events and hired as community ambassadors to strengthen those connections.
Esparza emphasized how these events are celebrations of a rich cultural tradition and opportunities to introduce Latina women to public spaces and resources in Dane County. "We were able to bring Latina women together to bridge this important cultural event to a larger rural Dane County community," she noted.
Día de los Muertos at Fitchburg and Waunakee Libraries
The first of these celebrations will take place at the **Fitchburg Public Library on Saturday, October 19th, from 10 AM to 1 PM**, and is free and open to the public. Attendees can expect a vibrant and educational experience that honors the traditions of Día de los Muertos, with altars, colorful decorations, and the chance to learn more about this special celebration of life and remembrance.
The second event will be held at the **Waunakee Public Library**, expanding the reach of this cultural celebration to even more communities across rural Dane County.
These Día de los Muertos events are part of the Ripple Project, a year-long series of free humanities programs focused on equity in Dane County public libraries. The Ripple Project, an initiative of Beyond the Page, aims to ensure public libraries are inclusive spaces where all community members feel welcome and represented.
Join the Celebration
As the Latino population continues to grow in Dane County, initiatives like these help create lasting connections between libraries and immigrant communities. Through these Día de los Muertos events, Midwest Mujeres and their partners are creating spaces where all can come together to celebrate heritage, learn from one another, and strengthen community bonds.
Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating Día de los Muertos at the Fitchburg and Waunakee libraries! For more information on the Ripple Project and upcoming events, visit www.beyondthepage.info/ripple-project.
Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive community—one celebration at a time.
I am super excited to be part of this project with Midwest Mujeres and the Fitchburg library. Great initiative Araceli