Mexic-Arte invites you AND YOUR BIKE to the Dia de los Muertos festivities this year!

At Erin O'Neil's of Mellow Johnny's suggestion Alexandra of the Mexic-Arte Museum emailed me and asked that I let all y'all know that you're OFFICIALLY INVITED to take part in this year's (typically pedestrian-only) Dia de los Muertos Procession, and to dress up both yourself and your bike in Day of the Dead themes to celebrate the occasion! Mellow Johnny's is one of the big sponsors this year, and will be providing free bike valet for all procession participants and festival goers. Here's a flyer for the event as well as the official press release:

And the news bit:

Mexic-Arte Museum’s 2009 Viva la Vida Fest:
Celebrating the 26th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival with a Focus on Healthy Living and a Green Environment

When: Saturday, October 24, 2009, 2:00-10:00 PM
Where: 5th and Congress (Downtown Austin)

Austin, TX – August 4, 2009: Mexic-Arte Museum, the Official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas, will be celebrating its 26th Annual Día de los Muertos – Austin’s largest and longest-running Day of the Dead festival featuring Latino artists and entertainment, an exhibition, and educational programs in the heart of downtown. Part of the proceeds will benefit the education programs of Mexic-Arte Museum, whose mission is to enrich the community through education programs and exhibitions focusing on traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture.

This year, Mexic-Arte Museum will present Día de los Muertos as Viva la Vida Fest to celebrate life by promoting health and environmental awareness through art and culture. Mexic-Arte Museum’s Viva la Vida Fest brings together a diversity of people in Austin to pay homage to friends, family, and heroes. The festival features an exhibition of contemporary art and community altars constructed out of recycled materials, an exhibition of pre-Columbian funeral art from West Mexico, education programs, a grand procession with costumes and props, and a street celebration with traditional foods, hands-on art activities, artist demos, local retail booths, live music and performances.

To make the festival eco-friendly this year, Mexic-Arte Museum is encouraging all participating artists and festival-goers to create their work out of recycled, re-used, and sustainable materials. The Museum is also committed to leaving a smaller footprint on the environment by reducing waste and minimizing energy wasted. The event will not only encourage artistic creations, but will also promote eco-friendly living, healthy eating, and exercise through cycling and walking.

We are also adding a new component that honors Austin’s community builders – families who have been here for many generations – and pays tribute to the legacy of members of our city who have contributed to making Austin what it is today. Mexic-Arte Museum will invite these community members to create tributes to their family histories, both in the community altars exhibition and in the procession.

Sponsors to date include the City of Austin, Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, Edible Austin Magazine, TKO Advertising, Rio Grande Restaurant, Oaxacan Tamaleo, Mellow Johnny’s, and Austin Vida. For more information or high-resolution images, please contact Public Relations Director Alexandra Landeros at pr@mexic-artemuseum.org or (512) 480-9373 x84.

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Alexandra M. Landeros
Public Relations & Membership Director
Mexic-Arte Museum
419 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 (physical)
P.O. Box 2273, Austin, TX 78768 (mailing)
512-480-9373 (o) / 512-480-8626 (f)

It's pretty excellent to know that they're thinking of us cyclists this year, and I eagerly await any additional information about what role they want bikes to play in the procession. Thanks for thinking of us Erin and Alexandra!