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Sarasota block party combines Day of the Dead and Halloween


  • By Ian Swaby
  • | 10:55 a.m. November 2, 2025
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
Photo by Ian Swaby
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez have been living in Sarasota for about 23 years. 

While they celebrated Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) in their original home of Mexico City, they've also enjoyed celebrating the holiday on Main Street in Sarasota for about the past four years. 

"It's a good experience over here in Sarasota," Villegas said. "We love Sarasota."

The couple were both wearing traditional Day of the Dead makeup and attire. 

Nonetheless, costumes of all sorts were found at the Day of the Dead and Halloween Block Party, hosted by the Italian restaurant Clasico on Nov. 1.

 
Sam and Sandy Bennett
Sam and Sandy Bennett
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lisa Grimes, Kim Pitts, Joan Kane, and Pitts' husband Rip Pitts
Lisa Grimes, Kim Pitts, Joan Kane, and Pitts' husband Rip Pitts
Photo by Ian Swaby
Nicoletti Triana pours a drink.
Nicoletti Triana pours a drink.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Luke Moczydlowski and Ashley Archer
Luke Moczydlowski and Ashley Archer
Photo by Ian Swaby
DJ J. Anthony Cruz (Nuans) of Orlando, and Enrique Leão of Sarasota (Lee-O), perform on stage.
DJ J. Anthony Cruz (Nuans) of Orlando, and Enrique Leão of Sarasota (Lee-O), perform on stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
Photo by Ian Swaby
Evan Ward, a DJ known as
Evan Ward, a DJ known as "EV, and Donnie Walker, a DJ known as "Awakening," listen to a DJ performance.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ashley Archer and Dillon Ramos, who dressed as a character he created, a
Ashley Archer and Dillon Ramos, who dressed as a character he created, a "Chaos Raider," visit the bar.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Damian Doss and Britnee Valles
Damian Doss and Britnee Valles
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ashly Danko and her father Paul Danko
Ashly Danko and her father Paul Danko
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jon Baxter claps to the music.
Jon Baxter claps to the music.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Front: Angelica Findlay. Back row: Angelica Findlay's sister Katalina Findlay, May Kim and Ana Abati. The group dressed as the three blind mice, and a cat.
Front: Angelica Findlay. Back row: Angelica Findlay's sister Katalina Findlay, May Kim and Ana Abati. The group dressed as the three blind mice, and a cat.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Daniel Marjanovic and his fiancee Marta Staniec
Daniel Marjanovic and his fiancee Marta Staniec
Photo by Ian Swaby
A large inflatable hand provides a backdrop for the event.
A large inflatable hand provides a backdrop for the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Karl and Lucille Messina came from Lakewood Ranch for the event.
Karl and Lucille Messina came from Lakewood Ranch for the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Marco Madrid and Christa Pazienza
Marco Madrid and Christa Pazienza
Photo by Ian Swaby
Stephanie and Jason Garnet
Stephanie and Jason Garnet
Photo by Ian Swaby
The event was hosted by Classico.
The event was hosted by Classico.
Photo by Ian Swaby

 

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.

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