Latino Community Association marks Día de los Muertos with grand opening of new Bend facility

(Update: Adding video, comments from executive director)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Latino Community Association in Bend held its grand opening for its new home and did it in style on Tuesday night, hosting community members, dancers and a musician.

About a month ago, NewsChannel 21 reported the non-profit would be moving to a much larger, 5,700-square-foot building on the Eastside of Bend.

“It’s hard to describe what space does, but it creates opportunities," Brad Porterfield, executive director for the Latino Community Association told NewsChannel 21 on Tuesday. "You start to envision the things you can do in space, and that is what we are excited about.”

Porterfield called the grand opening and a Día de los Muertos celebration on the same day a "happy coincidence."

Community members were able to place photos, personal belongings and the favorite foods of their loved ones that passed away. The holiday, meant to unite the living and the dead starts on Oct. 30 or 31 and ends Nov. 2.

"To bring together day of the dead or Día de los Muertos, and our grand opening in the same day -- it’s a nice struck of luck," Porterfield said.

Porterfield also said that COVID-19 actually expedited the move-in process because the nonprofit had hired more workers to take on more clients during the pandemic, which meant the association needed a bigger space.

The new building is located at 2680 NE Twin Knolls Drive, Suite 110. The Latino Community Association signed a three year lease in September.