Tonight, Oct. 3, the sidewalk from the Hilton San Diego Bayfront to the Embarcadero Marina Park South will come to life with the spirits of the dead. It’s too early for Halloween and almost a month before Dia de Los Muertos, yet attendees of the United States Conference on AIDS (USCA) make the walk amid festive, costumed dancers to celebrate those they’ve lost to AIDS.
The procession is free and open to the public, starting at 6:00 p.m. on the sidewalk adjacent to the north side of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront (1 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101). From there, participants will march to the Embarcadero Marina Park South (1 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101) where community members and HIV/AIDS service organizations display ofrendas, or altars, to the spirits of loved ones. Community members are invited to bring memorabilia and offerings to add to the altars, for loved ones who were lost to AIDS.
“The altar display is a community effort,” says Terry Cunningham USCA 2014 Host Committee Co-Chair and former chief of the HIV, STD and Hepatitis Branch of Public Health Services at the County of San Diego. “It is a chance for us to remember all of those we’ve lost to AIDS and symbolizes the community effort it will take to be the generation to end HIV.”
After the procession ends and marchers have had a chance to view the altar displays, participants are invited to enjoy free traditional Mexican food and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol will be available for purchase with a valid photo I.D. The celebration will continue until 9:00 p.m. with the Manny Cepeda Orchestra playing live.
