'Skeletons' come out to play at Village of the Arts in Bradenton

BRADENTON -- Hundreds strolled Saturday through Bradenton's Village of the Arts, enjoying lunch at gourmet restaurants and checking out the final day of the unusual 10th annual Festival of the Skeletons, inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead, where people honor loved ones who have passed.

A memory walk at a park drew many who paused to color crosses or hearts in remembrance of loved ones and then attached the art to a memory wall.

Festival of the Skeletons brings to Bradenton a bit of Mexico, where shrines in homes, businesses or public places honor loved ones who have passed away, said Zoe Von Averkamp, owner of Divine Excess Folk Art Gallery in the Village of the Arts and chairwoman for Festival of the Skeletons.

"On Friday, the opening of the festival, there was Mexican food and music throughout the Village," said Von Averkamp. "There was also shrine building, and people could see shrines in all the galleries and restaurants, and our big community shrine in the park where every year we honor a deceased artist, this year being Johnny Cash."

Roberta Ryan of Holiday Heights found her way to the community shrine to honor her 78-year-old Holiday Heights neighbor and friend, Patty, who has died.

"Patty was a hoot," Ryan said using ponly her first name. "She was very artistic. She was a former beauty queen, which she hated to tell people. She was just my buddy."

Then, Ryan spoke directly to Patty, which is perfectly appropriate at the festival.

"Patty, I miss you," Ryan said. "'Blacklist' isn't the same. I won't watch it. People have to tell me what's going on. I miss our Judge Judy afternoons."

Sharon Bacon, a Bradenton resident from Mishawaka, Ind., close to Notre Dame, and her husband, Doug, honored Sharon's mother, Betty Campbell.

"Mom, I am doing great," Bacon announced to the shrine to the land of the dead. "I married the man of my dreams and we have a wonderful life together. Wish you could see me now."

"Doug and I were neighbors growing up," Bacon added. "I always had a crush on him and we never got together till later on in life. Every day I look in the mirror and I am more my mother. I have learned you must honor you parents. When they are gone you miss them more."

Pat Talbott, engaged to Gene Noble, had a message for her mother, Portia Murphy.

"Hi mom," Talbott told her mother at the shrine. "As old as I am, I got a man in my life. I met Gene ballroom dancing. He's a gem."

Noble had a message for his brother, Larry Noble.

"Larry, you should have learned ballroom dancing."

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072 or contact him via Twitter@RichardDymond.

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 9:13 PM with the headline "'Skeletons' come out to play at Village of the Arts in Bradenton ."