May 25-26-27: Dia de los Hooks @ Whataburger Field

CORPUS CHRISTI - The first Dia de los Hooks celebration at Whataburger Field Thursday-Friday-Saturday May 25-26-27 promises to deliver one of the most unique Minor League Baseball experiences imaginable.

"Our goal here is to deliver Hooks Baseball in an unmatched setting as a full Dia de los Muertos-themed festival unfolds at the ballpark," VP of Sales & Marketing Andy Steavens explained. "Fusing two of the area's most culturally meaningful activities - a Day of the Dead observance and the region's favorite sport, baseball - should make for a truly memorable and enjoyable weekend for fans of all ages."
The plaza area inside the Right Field Gate will be transformed into a Mercado with musical entertainment. Nearby, guests can find a community altar on which to lay keepsakes of or tributes to those who've passed on. Fans should bring items of personal significance for their altar offering.
Along the concourse: Dia de los Hooks face painting, themed food and drinks, a silent auction, local art exhibits, and sugar skull decorating. Guests are encouraged to dress in Dia de los Muertos observance attire and have their face painting done in advance or at the stadium.
Then, of course, there's the baseball on the field. Your team will wear custom Dia de los Hooks uniforms each night. And, don't forget the premium giveaways Hooks Baseball is famous for: Dia de los Hooks Tumblers for the first 2,000 fans on the 25th from Ashley HomeStore and Dia de los Hooks Dri-Fit Shirts from Hilliard Munoz Gonzales to the first 1,750 two nights later. Our regular nightly promotions like Stripes Thirsty Thursday with discounted beer and soda and Bud Light Friday Fireworks are in effect. The Thursday, Friday, and Saturday games feature mariachis and folklorico; Saturday a Dia de los Hooks pregame procession around the warning track.
Grammy Award-winning Tejano artist Sunny Sauceda tops the three-night event off with a concert after the Hooks play Tulsa Saturday night. KSAB-FM, KUNO-AM, and Univision 28 KORO-TV are media partners for the Sonny Sauceda show.
To order tickets: click here!
Thursday, May 25, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, May 26, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, May 27, 7:05 p.m.
About Dia de los Muertos
"Day of the Dead" is actually a celebration of life to those who observe it. For them, Dia de los Muertos is a cherished opportunity to remember those who've passed away. Begun by the indigenous peoples of Latin America, it typically runs over a three-day period October 31-November 2.
"Ofrendas," or altars, are fashioned at grave sites, homes, and pubic areas to honor departed family members and friends. Altars feature sweetly-scented orange marigolds (the Mexican flower of death), images of saints, silhouettes of the Virgin Mary, crucifixes, candles, and photos of the dead. Some survivors place the deceased's favorite drink or freshly-prepared food on the altar, or a symbol of vocation or hobby.
And then there are the skulls. Skull masks so dead enemies won't recognize the living. Decorated sugar or chocolate skulls… some of which are eaten to symbolize the overcoming of death.
"In Mexico, there are processions through the streets to the cemeteries, where they tell stories and poems, sing songs, and dance with deceased loved ones," Dia de los Muertos Corpus Christi festival organizer Michelle Smythe said. "It's a spiritual reunion, party, and celebration."It's a national holiday, with government offices and schools closed."
Dia de los Muertos' origins are over 3,000 years old. Celebrated in central and southern Mexico, it combines Aztec ritual with Catholicism, introduced to the region by Spanish conquistadores. Native people combined All Souls' Day (November 1) & All Saints' Day (November 2), with their own ancient practice of honoring deceased loved ones. They believe the gates of heaven open at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) can reunite with their families for 24 hours. The next day, adult spirits come down to enjoy the festivities planned for them.
The 10th Dia de los Muertos Corpus Christi celebration is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, from 3 p.m.-midnight.
www.diadelosmuertoscc.com