Several thousand people are expected this Saturday in Charlotte to celebrate the Mexican holiday Dia de Muertos. THE festivalorganized by the Latin American Coalition and the Levine Museum of the New South, is now in its 20th year.

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, dates back hundreds of years to the Aztec people. This festival honors the dead, showing that death is not the end but the continuation of life.

“It’s a celebration of life more than a celebration of death,” said José Hernández-París, CEO of the Latin American Coalition. “We hope the community will come and join us and create a community together.”

There will be dancing, live music, poetry readings, Latin cuisine and a catrinas parade. They are women often disguised as skeletons.

The most important part of the Día de Muertos festival are the altars, or ofrendas. These are filled with candles, food, photos and mementos of deceased loved ones. They are used to guide the spirits of loved ones back to their families.

THE Day of the Dead celebration will take place at Camp North End on Saturday, November 2, from noon to 8 p.m. It’s free and open to all ages.