By Brett Fisher

  • Photos by Brett Fisher. Dancers in ancient Aztec regalia delight Saturday's crowd at the Nevada State Museum.
    Photos by Brett Fisher. Dancers in ancient Aztec regalia delight Saturday’s crowd at the Nevada State Museum.
  • Altars display memories of loved ones inside the Nevada State Museum Dema Guinn Concourse.
    Altars display memories of loved ones inside the Nevada State Museum Dema Guinn Concourse.
  • Skull decorations are hung inside the Nevada State Museum Dema Guinn Concourse.
    Skull decorations are hung inside the Nevada State Museum Dema Guinn Concourse.
  • An altar decoration displayed at the Nevada State Museum.
    An altar decoration displayed at the Nevada State Museum.
  • A small child stands next to an altar inside the Nevada State Museum Dema Guinn Concourse.
    A small child stands next to an altar inside the Nevada State Museum Dema Guinn Concourse.
  • A drummer keeps the beat for the Aztec dancers Saturday.
    A drummer keeps the beat for the Aztec dancers Saturday.

If you thought Dia de los Muertos was synonymous with Halloween, you’d be wrong.

Although All Hallows Eve occurs during the typically days-long festival, Dia de los Muertos is really a celebration of life for loved ones and ancestors that have passed on.

On Saturday, the centuries-old Mexican holiday was on full display at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City. The museum partnered with Western Nevada College for the second straight year to showcase its 12th annual Dia de los Muertos.

Folk dancers dressed in traditional Aztec and Mexican costumes performed dances in honor of Dia de los Muertos.

Inside the museum’s Dema Guinn Concourse, several altars were on display. Those premiered Friday ahead of the Saturday celebration.