The Battleground, a restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine located in Kent, Ohio at 425 Cherry St., celebrated Día de los Muertos Nov. 1 with a community altar and free margaritas.

Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a holiday widely celebrated Nov. 1-2 by people of Mexican heritage. The creation of altars are used to remember the dead at home and many make traditional dishes for the holiday. 

Rosi Noden, the owner of The Battleground, explained the holiday is about praying and remembering family and friends who have died. 

“It’s a belief in Mexican culture that the people who have passed come back,” Noden said. “That God gave them permission to come back and meet their relatives on Earth.” 

Since childhood, Noden experienced this holiday with a heavy focus on using traditional food to celebrate. 

“I came from a family of 12 uncles and aunts, so the table was huge,” Noden said. “In the days before, we set up the table and there [were] all kinds of spices and food in preparation for the day.” 

Inside the restaurant, a shared altar for the community can be found with pictures, statues, marigold flowers and candles displayed in celebration.  

“Everything has some meaning in the altar,” Noden said. “Your pictures of your loved ones, and then the candles, and then if the person had a special food they loved, you set it up on the altar.” 

The Battleground encouraged guests to bring items for the shared altar and offered free margarita samples to those who participated. 

“If you want to come and place a picture of your loved one or leave a candle for your loved one, you’re more than welcome to do it,” Noden said. 

Noden aims for The Battleground to act as a place for the local community to embrace Mexican culture all year round, and especially serve as a welcoming environment during Día de los Muertos. 

“I wanted to do it as close as it is done in Mexico because I want to bring that aspect to Northeast Ohio for people that don’t have the opportunity to go to Mexico and experience the Day of the Dead,” Noden said. “I want to make it as authentic as possible.”

Kayla Gleason is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].