I realize Day of the Dead is still months off, but the Mexic-Arte Museum is focusing the celebration this year on eco-friendly living and wants cyclist to participate with decorated bikes. This will give you plenty of time to plan your decorating.

UPDATE: Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop will be providing free bike valet service to all festival goers.

Here are the details:

Mexic-Arte Museum’s 2009 Viva la Vida Fest:
Celebrating the 26th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival
with a Focus on Healthy Living and a Green Environment

When: Saturday, October 24, 2009, 2:00-10:00 PM
Where: 5th and Congress (Downtown Austin)

Mexic-Arte Museum, the Official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas, will be celebrating its 26th Annual Día de los Muertos – Austin’s largest and longest-running Day of the Dead festival featuring Latino artists and entertainment, an exhibition, and educational programs in the heart of downtown.  Part of the proceeds will benefit the education programs of Mexic-Arte Museum, whose mission is to enrich the community through education programs and exhibitions focusing on traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture.

This year, Mexic-Arte Museum will present Día de los Muertos as Viva la Vida Fest to celebrate life by promoting health and environmental awareness through art and culture.  Mexic-Arte Museum’s Viva la Vida Fest brings together a diversity of people in Austin to pay homage to friends, family, and heroes.  The festival features an exhibition of contemporary art and community altars constructed out of recycled materials, an exhibition of pre-Columbian funeral art from West Mexico, education programs, a grand procession with costumes and props, and a street celebration with traditional foods, hands-on art activities, artist demos, local retail booths, live music and performances.

To make the festival eco-friendly this year, Mexic-Arte Museum is encouraging all participating artists and festival-goers to create their work out of recycled, re-used, and sustainable materials.  The Museum is also committed to leaving a smaller footprint on the environment by reducing waste and minimizing energy wasted.  The event will not only encourage artistic creations, but will also promote eco-friendly living, healthy eating, and exercise through cycling and walking.

We are also adding a new component that honors Austin’s community builders – families who have been here for many generations – and pays tribute to the legacy of members of our city who have contributed to making Austin what it is today.  Mexic-Arte Museum will invite these community members to create tributes to their family histories, both in the community altars exhibition and in the procession.