For the third year, Southern Nevada Agency Partnership Environmental Education and Law Enforcement teamed-up to participate in the Day of the Dead celebration at Winchester Cultural Center.  El Dia de los Muertos is the Mexican holiday memorializing those who have passed, and welcoming them back for an evening of remembrance. Festivities begin the evening of November 1 when families build an alter, or ofrenda, for someone special. The ofrenda can be any shape or size, but always includes photos, food, bright colors, candles, and other personal and special touches specific to the honored guest. During the night of Nov 1 and into the following morning the dead rejoin the living for a feast in their honor.  It is a beautiful way of embracing life and moving forward with death.
 
The SNAP team built an ofrenda in observance of the reckless driving accidents that occurred this past year on federal public lands. There were several other ofrendas on display, as well as vendors, poetry, food, live music, and traditional dancers.  Thanks to SNAP volunteer Lorena Navarro, and SNAP LE rangers (Jesse Navarro (BLM), Jarvis Alexander (USDA FS), and Lionel Castillo (USFWS) for their dedication and involvement in this year’s ofrenda. The staff at Winchester Cultural Center recorded over 12,000 visitors to this year's Day of the Dead celebration.