Basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi were honored Sunday with an altar in their dedication at a Dia de Los Muertos event in downtown San Pedro.
"Kobe and Gigi live in the hearts of so many Angelenos, so we hope their altar serves as a heartfelt homage to their enduring memory,” said Ryan Blaney, Executive Director of Discover San Pedro. “We invite the entire city to come to San Pedro and leave a candle for Kobe and Gigi at their altar in observance of a beautiful cultural tradition,” said Blaney.
Thousands of attendees celebrated the event, which honored the memory of loved ones who have passed away. Hundreds of flowers adorned keepsakes and photographs of deceased loved ones as traditional dancers made for an awe-inspiring event.
Attendees were treated to several festivities, which included:
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- 40 artisan craft vendors
- Two beer gardens
- Authentic Mexican food trucks
- A performance by the Mariachi Divas at 8:15 p.m.
- Folklorico groups from across Los Angeles from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- A Catrina Costume contest at 5:30 p.m.
- Five 12-foot tall Catrina sculptures
- A total of 20 unique altars, including one dedicated to Kobe and Gigi Bryant
- A special screening of the movie "Encanto" at the Historic Warner Grand Theatre at 2 p.m.
- A parade at 5 p.m.
"San Pedro believes in and supports culture and diversity, which is why we are immensely proud to produce the 11th annual Dia de Los Muertos Festival in Downtown San Pedro," Blaney said. "Observing Day of the Dead is an essential tradition in Latino culture, especially in Mexico, so we invite everybody in Los Angeles to joyfully participate in culture and remember those spirits that are no longer with us, but certainly live in our hearts."
