Late fall in Sedona is a special time, especially if you are looking to celebrate Mexico’s most time-honored celebration, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This family-friendly extravaganza, now in its eighth year at Tlaquepaque, takes place Saturday, Nov. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Be prepared for an unforgettable cultural experience with traditional foods and a fabulous entertainment line-up. To dive deep into this cultural tradition of remembering loved ones who have passed, consider participating in its kickoff event, the Marigold Mural Project.

Unique to Tlaquepaque and increasing in popularity every year, everyone is invited to honor and paint remembrances in words and symbols of loved ones on a 26-by-6-foot mural. The Marigold Mural Project began Tuesday, Oct. 30, and concludes the night of the Day of the Dead event, Saturday, Nov. 3. Participants can paint daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Calle Independencia.

“Every year the mural fills up faster than the year before as more folks hear about it,” remarks artist Lovejoy, the project’s onsite creative director, who sets up participants with paints and brushes. “I so look forward to Marigold every year. Watching how respectfully and lovingly people paint their special heart-felt messages to honor loved ones is truly humbling.”

As in years past, Lovejoy will prepare the mural with her own artistic interpretation of a traditional Day of the Dead motif — usually large iconic Day of the Dead white skulls colorfully entwined with marigold garlands that create a stunning focal point for the mural.

During the five days of mural painting leading up to the Saturday celebration, school groups and youngsters of all ages will come to paint.

Mothers and daughters, fathers and sons and entire families can be seen painting together.

A range of emotions from somber to grateful to joyful is expressed when people contemplate how to remember someone who is dear to them.

Folks are asked to kindly refrain from painting over Lovejoy’s creation and to paint their words and symbols in small areas so that others have space to paint too. Murals from years past will be on display during the main event on Saturday, Nov. 3, as well.

Tlaquepaque is located at 336 SR 179. It is open daily at 10 a.m. Call 282-4838 or visit tlaq.com for more information