Kansas City celebrates Dia de los Muertos

By Nomin Ujiyediin,

Published October 31, 2023 at 4:00 AM CDT

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As Latino residents across the Kansas City metro prepare for the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday, many are reflecting on the emotions and memories that the season brings with it. And the 124-year-old American Royal Livestock Show draws thousands of competitors of all ages from across the country to show their sheep, pigs, goats and cattle. What's it like?

This week, thousands of Latino residents in the Kansas City metro will observe Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. As KCUR’s Zach Perez reports, the holiday gives Latino residents a chance to honor lost loved ones and show the world who they were.

The American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri, goes all the way back to 1899. This year, exhibitors as young as 7 traveled from all over the country to compete, showing more than 4,000 head of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. Harvest Public Media’s Eva Tesfaye brings us an audio postcard on what it’s like for kids and teenagers to show livestock at one of the largest competitions in the United States.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios and edited by Gabe Rosenberg and Lisa Rodriguez.

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