Kids and adults in costumes trick-or-treated their way down the treat alley at Fort Lupton’s Day of the Dead and Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 14 at the Historic Fort Lancaster.
Gracelynn Matlack is wearing a Day of the Day Dead Mantilla Halloween costume. Credit: Belen Ward 
Quetzalcoatl Aztec Dance Fusion performing a traditional ritual dance at Fort Lupton’sDay of the Dead celebration Oct. 14 at the city’s historic fort. 
Lieutenant Lancaster Lupton’s Day of the Dead alter built by Maria Menounos with the Fort Lupton Public School & Library. 
Mia Rodriquez Quetzalcoatl Aztec Dance Fusion dancer. Credit: Belen Ward 
Families are taking the haunted hayride through the forest. Credit: Belen Ward 
Madelyn Griffis and Dillon Doyle are having fun with Beetle Juice Tintamarresque. Credit: Belen Ward 
Elenore and Amelia Smith dressed as magical princesses for Fort Lupton’s Day of the Dead celebration. Credit: Belen Ward
Maria Menounos with Fort Lupton Public & School Library built an authentic Day of the Dead altar, or Ofrenda. It’s an educational display featuring Army Lt. Lancaster Lupton who, with his First Dragoon Regiment, was the first to discover the Fort Lupton area. He later returned with the idea of building a crossroad for trading and built the historic fort.
The Day of the Dead, or Dia de Los Muertos, is a two-day holiday that honors a departed family member who passed away and celebrates their life. The Ofrenda is decorated with yellow and marigold flowers, with photos of left with their favorite foods and drinks.
Offerings for the spirits visiting from the land of the dead, hearing prayers, smelling the food, and joining the celebration are all assumed to be part of the celebration.
At Fort Lupton’s event, crowds gather to watch the Quetzalcoatl Aztec Dance Fusion in their colorful headdresses and clothing. The group represented the culture and Mexico’s history and traditions with ritual dances to honor and worship the gods.
Kids participated in face painting and rode on the kiddie train, and families rode on the haunted hayride. Several food trucks serve up food and drinks.