’Corazón-del-Valle’ celebrates Dia de los Muertos in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley

Chalk artists at work in South El Monte (photo by Tim Hans, ActiveSGV)

After a six year hiatus, the communities of El Monte and South El Monte hosted their first ciclovia – Active Streets “Corazón-del-Valle” – on Sunday, November 2nd. The free community event opened up five miles of streets from the South El Monte Civic Center to the Jeff Seymour Family Center for the public to walk, bike, run, skate, scoot, dance, and play. Made possible by Metro and hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), in partnership with the cities of El Monte and South El Monte, and local non-profit Active San Gabriel Valley, the event was the eleventh open streets event in the San Gabriel Valley since 2015. ​

Participants ride along Tyler Avenue in El Monte (photo Andy Rodriguez, ActiveSGV)

Three activity hubs along the event route included Dia de los Muertos programming,  art installations, live music, community booths, and family-friendly games. In South El Monte a skeleton emerging from Santa Anita Boulevard greeted attendees. In downtown El Monte two stages showcased live mariachis and other musical acts while local muralists transformed formerly monochrome utility boxes. At the Jeff Seymour Family Center in north El Monte participants of all ages explored the San Gabriel Valley’s first bike park and test rode a wide range of e-cargo and e-family bikes at the GoSGV demo zone.

Dodger fans were a common sight at the event (photo by Tim Hans, ActiveSGV)

Thousands of attendees also had a chance to visit the many small businesses on Main Street in El Monte, many of whom activated their storefronts with holiday decor, informational programming and free samples. The City’s historic central district was festively decorated with papel picado, freshly planted marigolds, and community altars. ​

Attendees explore the Main Street Activity Hub in El Monte (photo by Andy Rodriguez, ActiveSGV)

Over the course of the six hour event families could be seen walking and rolling on all manner of wheeled devices, including skateboards, scooters, and in-line skates. Young children were a common sight, with car-free streets providing families an opportunity to explore otherwise traffic-filled streets.

​“Corazón del Valle was a wonderful opportunity for our residents to reimagine our streets as places for joy, movement, and community connection,” said San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments President Ed Reece. “We were proud to bring this celebration to the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, showcasing the vibrant culture, local businesses, and community organizations that make this region so special.

To receive announcements about future events, sign up for notices at www.activesgv.org/get-involved.