Yadira Porras Montoya appears in stylized Azteca regalia Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he University of Oklahoma’s Hispanic American Student Association hosted its 2017 Dia de los Muertos Festival de Calle ( Day of the Dead Street Festival) Oct. 29 in the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot.
Past festivals were on campus near the art museum, but the new venue for 2017 carried a more authentic vibe. Attendance was large, and many people enthusiastically and elaborately dressed for the occasion.
Entertainment at the event included live music and dancing performed on a stage. Food trucks and a tent-covered dining area were also on hand. Vendors of various crafts and gadgets had tables set up. A small carnival ride midway attracted families with children.
The musical headliner was Billboard Latin chart-topper Roberto Tapia, and a grand entrance of vintage American cars outfitted in the lowrider tradition circled before a festive audience.
Folk dancer poses for a photo Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Adults in Dia de los Muertos fiesta attire Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Folk dancers smile post-performance Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Children posing for photos Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Family celebrating Dia de los Muertos Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Lowrider Chevrolet with customized, family-themed paint job on display Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill).
Lowrider automobiles made a grand entrance parade Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Child with mask in lowrider Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Women in ghoulish gowns pose for a photo Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Family in elaborate costumes Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Music stage headliner Roberto Tapia performs Oct. 29, 2017, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. (Doug Hill)
Doug Hill earned a double-major undergraduate degree in English and East Asian Studies from the University of Kansas and a master's in human relations from the University of Oklahoma. He's been a freelance journalist and photographer in central Oklahoma since 1997.
