Cultural celebration &

Community Participation

Our celebration has always integrated and prioritized community participation to ensure that our event is truly a reflection of the Magnolia Park community. Explore how we have asked residents to participate in our past projects.

2022

The 2022 community altar was dedicated to outstanding families from the community.

Mario M Gallegos, Sr

The third Hispanic hired by the Houston Fire Department in 1951. Served 20 years at HFD, most years at Station 20 in Magnolia Park. He was active in the community as Commander of American Legion Post 472, Precinct Judge Precinct 64, Magnolia Park Civic Association, Coach for many years of Magnolia Rubies Girls’ Softball Team at Hidalgo Park, and numerous other organizations. Spent his entire career teaching bi-lingual fire safety in the Houston community, Texas and the Southwest US. Retired from HFD as Captain in 1971 and as Fire Chief in Brownsville, TX. in 1978. After retirement, worked at the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office as Arson Investigator. Mario M. Gallegos, Sr. Elementary School in Magnolia Park was named in his honor because of his contributions to the community.

Olga Ramirez Gallegos

Her work in public service began in Washington DC in the mid 1940’s at the Pentagon as a tele typist. She was a pioneer to her community by becoming the first Hispanic Precinct Judge elected at Precinct 64 in Magnolia Park in the 1960’s. Also, an educational activist elected to the HISD Board representing areas including schools in Magnolia Park from 1987 until 2003, becoming one of the few Hispanic women to serve as President of the Board. She served on the HISD Board for 16 years and was the longest serving Hispanic on the board. She also served on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees in 1987. She received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the community.

Mario V Gallegos, Jr.

Born to parents who served and helped open doors for the Houston Hispanic community. After 22 years, he retired as a Senior Captain with the Houston Fire Department to serve two terms (1991-1995) in the Texas State Legislation representing District 143. In 1994, he was elected and made history as the first Hispanic elected from Harris County representing District 6 in the Texas State Senate. As a Senator, he advocated for many causes, including increased University of Houston funding and broader access to higher education in his district, which included Magnolia Park. He held the State Senator position for 17 years. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the community.

Lillian Gallegos Villarreal

Fourth child born to parents who served and helped open doors for the Houston Hispanic community. Worked for 35 years in the Energy industry. Was a Precinct Chair, President of her civic club, a member of the Mayors Hispanic Advisory Committee under two mayors, the American Legion Post 472 Ladies Auxiliary, Tejano Democrats, and Executive Committee for Texas Senate District 6. She volunteered for many years with American Cancer Society - Cancer Action Network and was a recipient of their “National Award for Leadership.” She was an inspiration to many and always volunteered with a smile and a big heart.

2021

The 2021 community altar was dedicated in honor of several heroes; Retired Master Sg. Joe Ramirez, Sr. a Korean POW Veteran and a recipient of a Purple Heart. A lifelong member of various military organizations, including the American Legion Post 472, Civil Rights Adovcated Maria Jimenez an immigration and civil rights advocate for over 50 years in Houston. Maria Jimenez was a mentor to many local Houston leaders and elected officials, including Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Last, Private First Class Vanessa Guillen a high school graduate who immediately joined the US Army. Her memory brought real change to the US military and society on how women are treated. Her life ended tragically and unnecessarily, but she will now be a hero and honored by millions in our country.

Attendees were offered opportunities to participate in the Día de los Muertos tradition: building and decorating altars honoring loved ones who have passed on. Many people—both residents of Magnolia Park, but also people from the greater Houston community—submitted photos of their loved ones through an online form. Once submitted, the photos were printed, framed and placed on the event’s altar, and those who wished could take their photo with them. As in year's past every attendee was invited to place their loved ones’ photos and offerings on the altar during the event.

2020

In 2020, in lieu of our annual in-person event we put out a call to area residents to participate in our short film. We called for photos of area families’ ofrendas and photos of loved ones that were included in a documentary short film, called Adelante con la Cultura: 2020 Día de los Muertos in Magnolia Park.

To ensure this resource will exist for future generations to access for free, the short film was submitted to the Houston Public Library Hispanic Archive Collection.

2019

The 2019 community altar was dedicated in honor of Irma Christine Reyna Ybarra, a community leader and small business owner who passed away in August 2019. You can see her framed portrait in the center of the ofrenda, at the top of the quiosco, with a fresh arrangement of marigolds—symbolic of her life’s work as the owner of Reyna’s Florist on 75th Street, just a few blocks away from Hidalgo Park. She was a resident of Magnolia Park for 77 years and graduated from Milby High School.

Attendees were offered two opportunities to participate in the most iconic and beloved Día de los Muertos tradition: building and decorating altars honoring loved ones who have passed on. Over 150 people—both residents of Magnolia Park, but also people from the greater Houston community—submitted photos of their loved ones through an online form. Once submitted, the photos were printed, framed and placed on the event’s 24-foot long altar, and those who wished could take their photo with them. Every attendee was invited to place their loved ones’ photos and offerings on the altar during the event.

2018

Organizations created themed altars in 2018, inviting the community to place photos of their loved ones who had passed on the altars. Additionally, Jesse “Magnolia Grown” Rodriguez invited Leo Tanguma, renowned Chicano muralist and creator of “Rebirth of Our Nationality” on Canal Street, for a community meet and greet. Rodriguez organized that year’s art exhibit featuring work exclusively from Magnolia Park artists.

2014-2017

Individuals from the Magnolia Park community were invited to design and set up their own altars in places of honor. Attendees were also invited to place photos of their loved ones on the altars.