Ciudad Juarez – Some fear the growing popularity of Halloween in Mexico will overshadow Dia de Los Muertos, a religious holiday honoring the dead.
"There's a lot of completion," said Araceli Garcia, a street vendor in the border city Ciudad Juarez.
Her stand carries both the traditional hand decorated sugar skulls and mass produced Halloween masks.
"Right now these are selling more," said Garcia pointing to a scary masks hanging over her stand. "But as Dia de los Muertos nears the skulls will do well since people put them on altars," said Garcia.
Families set up altars at home or at grave sites to honor their dearly departed. Many flock to cemeteries bringing their relatives favorite food, drink and music this time of year.
"It's supposed to be about Dia de Los Muertos not Halloween," said Garcia. She and others worry about the focus on Halloween costumes and candy in Mexico rather than the religious holiday.
Retailers on both sides of the border expect Halloween sales to top last year.
"Halloween is for kids,"said Daniel Mena, a parent in CIuad Juarez. His two boys will go trick or treating in their Mexican neighborhood but the family will also celebrate Dia de los Muertos.
Both traditons coexist on the border where families from the U.S. visit cemeteries in Mexico to pay respects to loved ones and Mexican children dressed in costumes cross over to trick or treat in U.S. neighborhoods.
While some worry Dia de los Muertos, a mix of pre-Columbian and Catholic beliefs, could be dying, others say there's nothing to fear.
"It's immortal," said Victorio de la Torre, 70, a grandfather.
He and his wife were at a market buying four handmade, colorful wreaths to lay on the graves of loved ones November 1 and 2, including two relatives who died as children.
November first is set aside to honor children and November 2nd is to remember adults who died. Catholic's mark all Saints Day November first.
"It's a very Mexican tradition and we hope those who follow also do the same," said de la Torre. He does not see Halloween as completion for Dia de los Muertos.
"Anything in this life that brings families together is important, "said de la Torre.