Dia de los Muertos Festival - 1st Annual Festival & Major Connections' 1st Event

On November 2nd, 2025, Major Connections hosted our very first community event, a Día de los Muertos celebration held at the Klamath County Fairgrounds. This day marked a meaningful milestone for us as we officially launched into the community with a shared goal of connection, awareness, and fundraising.

The event was free to attend, with a mix of complimentary activities and small-fee stations that supported our fundraising efforts. Families from across the community joined us, with an estimated three to four hundred people in attendance. Many came curious, many came to honor loved ones, and many left feeling connected to something new that had not existed in our area before.

Throughout the day, guests were invited to take part in hands-on, culturally rooted, and sensory-friendly experiences. Families created framed tributes to honor loved ones, designed memorabilia jewelry, decorated their own adobe cups, and enjoyed coloring stations where kids could make their own sugar skulls. There was music, traditional folkloric Mexican dancing, and authentic Mexican food and drinks that brought the celebration to life. Guests also enjoyed braid stations, a real tattoo bar, local vendors selling handcrafted wood and 3D printed items, free popcorn to go with the movie and sensory room, and welcoming spaces to gather and talk.

Accessibility and inclusion were at the center of every decision. A dedicated sensory room offered movies, swings, bean bags, and a calm environment for those who needed a break. Activities were intentionally designed to be flexible, welcoming, and supportive of all abilities. This allowed families to fully participate in a way that felt comfortable and affirming.

One of the most meaningful outcomes of the day was the response from the community. Many attendees shared their gratitude for an event like this finally being offered locally. Others expressed excitement about the resources Major Connections is working to bring to the area. Several people shared their contact information, eager to volunteer, collaborate, or support future efforts.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised $1,700 through donations and activity fees. More importantly, we sparked interest, built trust, and took a tangible step forward toward our larger goal of securing a permanent, accessible community center for the rural communities we serve.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, shared kind words, or simply showed up. This event affirmed what we believe at our core: when inclusive spaces are created with intention, community and connection come naturally.

This was only the beginning. We are actively planning future events, expanding our outreach, and working toward a dedicated community center that will serve as a hub for connection, resources, workshops, and inclusive play.

We are so grateful to the community and donors for being part of this first step with us. This is only the beginning!