Deerfield Beach is getting its own version of an ofrenda. The Deerfield Beach Historical Society calls it the Deerfrenda, a photo exhibit honoring the city's pioneers and changemakers, and it opens Friday evening, Oct. 30, at the society's Mid-Century Museum & Cultural Center, 84 SE 4th Ave. The opening night comes paired with a screening of Disney Pixar's Coco.

The society describes the exhibit as a local spin on the ofrenda tradition, built around the people who shaped Deerfield Beach rather than one family's ancestors.

What an Ofrenda Is

In the Day of the Dead tradition observed across Mexico and in Mexican American communities, an ofrenda is a home altar set up in late October and early November. Families fill it with photographs of relatives who have died, along with candles, marigolds and favorite foods, as a way of remembering them and welcoming them back for the holiday.

The Deerfrenda borrows that format and applies it to a whole town. Instead of grandparents and great-aunts, the photos on display honor the pioneers and changemakers in Deerfield Beach's history, the residents whose work built the city that exists today. The society gives the two-day showing the subtitle Remembering Our People.

Friday: Coco and the Opening

On Friday, Oct. 30, the exhibit is open from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The same evening the society screens Coco, the 2017 Disney Pixar animated film, at the museum. The society's listing invites guests to view the photo exhibit from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. as part of the movie night.

Movie night tickets are $10 for non-members and are sold through the society's website, where 36 seats were listed as available this week. The film's story centers on a family ofrenda and the Day of the Dead.

Saturday: Daytime Viewing

The exhibit reopens on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving families a chance to see it in daylight before Halloween night. The society's announcement lists the exhibit through Nov. 1, while its calendar shows hours only for Oct. 30 and 31, so call ahead if you are planning a Sunday visit.

Where It Is

The Mid-Century Museum & Cultural Center at 84 SE 4th Ave. is one of two Historical Society sites in Deerfield Beach. The other is the historic Butler House and Heritage House at 380 E. Hillsboro Blvd., which holds the society's offices and archives.

More on the Society's Calendar

The Deerfrenda is the centerpiece of a busy stretch for the society. On Monday, Nov. 2, it hosts a kindness rock painting session tied to World Kindness Day and Veterans Day. On Thursdays Nov. 5, 12 and 19, the In Focus Photography Club shows work by local young artists. An evening watercolor class from The Gathering Studio follows on Nov. 10, and a paper snowflake ornament class is set for Nov. 21.

Later in the season, the society plans an Antique Menorah Exhibit on Thursdays from Nov. 21 through Dec. 19, skipping Thanksgiving.

How to Go

The Deerfrenda photo exhibit is at the Mid-Century Museum & Cultural Center, 84 SE 4th Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Hours are 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The Coco movie night is Friday, Oct. 30, with exhibit viewing from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; non-member tickets are $10 at deerfieldbeachhistoricalsociety.com.

For details on Sunday hours or anything else, contact the Deerfield Beach Historical Society at 954-429-0378 or [email protected].

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