by Rynski on Nov.05, 2009, under date, date destinations, first date, life
The All Souls Procession makes a great weekend date
Don’t say it – don’t even think it.
This couple knew the All Souls Procession makes a great date/Ryn Gargulinski
I know, I know – all my blogs today, from the weapon as décor collection to the five death updates – have not been very cheery, perhaps.
I was going to even it out with a happy, snappy dating post. But the topic on my list is a phenomenal weekend date which just so happens to include more death: Tucson’s annual All Souls Procession.
Sigh.
Really – I did not plan this.
And I promise the All Souls Procession does NOT fill attendees and participants with gloom and doom but it is rather a celebration and honoring of our dearly departed.
Get into the fray and rhythm and you may even find yourself in the midst, quite rightly, of a spiritual experience.
Thousands of folks dress up to pay tribute to their dearly departed loved ones, both animal and human, or even a dead concept or entity.
This year’s procession will include a major death in the community over the past year that is dear to many of our hearts: the print edition of the Tucson Citizen newspaper. A gaggle of former staff will be dressed and marching to mark and mourn its passing. People I still miss daily for their humorous banter and awesome ideas.
Just one of the many fabulous puppets/Ryn Gargulinski
Tons of puppets, skeletons, skeleton puppets, floats and even pets dressed up always add another fine dimension to the festivities.
You’ll also be drawn in by the hordes of performers and the grand finale urn burn at the Franklin Street Docks, at the southwest corner of Sixth Street and Stone Avenue.
Even if you don’t have a date, feel free to go solo to the procession – you are going to meet a lot of interesting folks.
The procession starts to gather at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 at Epic Café, corner of Fourth Avenue and University Boulevard.
Many Mouths One Stomach, the organization we can thank for pulling this together every year, asks participants register at the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue and Fourth Street. The procession begins at 6 p.m.
See AllSoulsProcession.org for a full map of the route, more information and details on other highlights of the All Souls Procession Weekend.
See – that wasn’t so horrible, was it?
What do you think?
Will you be attending the All Souls Procession?
Are you a regular or have you never been?
What’s always your highlight?
Would the All Souls Procession make a fine first date? Why or why not?
8 Comments for this entry
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November 5th, 2009 on 12:14 pm
The procession is wonderfully life affirming and inclusive. You can be whatevever you wish to be (other than drunk or an a$$hole). There is no line between spectator and participant, and in fact you can be both. No sign up, no entry fees.
I’ve been attending since 2001, and it is difficult to single out a favorite aspect. I did like to position myself on top of the 4th Avenue underpass and watch the Procession get swallowed up in its maw. I wonder if the impact will be the same with the new underpass.
Be there or be square.
November 5th, 2009 on 7:11 pm
you got it, koreyk! with your last remark -
i’ve only been to the ASP once before (i fell ill last year) but it stuck in my mind as one of the most wondrous experiences tucson has to offer.
good point on the remodeled underpass, as i, too, was blown away by the maw swallowing and then spitting out the procession on the other end.
i guess we’ll see how the newfangled underpass works out!
November 5th, 2009 on 6:47 pm
I had never even heard of the ASP until my girlfriend mentioned it a couple of months back…now it looks like I’m going…
Ha! Should be fun. She makes it sound pretty wild!
It’ll be sad to see some of the ex-Citizen staff there,(today’s ADS, online ed.) that whole fiasco still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Our paper of choice for many years in my family. (’cept my mom, she’s a commie) Sorry mom!
November 5th, 2009 on 7:13 pm
yes, the ASP IS wild. wild and wonderful. so excited for you that you’ll get to experience it for the first time. your girlfriend must be pretty smart if she knows to check it out (haha).
yes, it is sad about the passing of the citizen as we knew it. glad to hear it was your family’s fave (besides mom). i’ll be very interested to see their costumes.
November 5th, 2009 on 7:16 pm
Costumes?…(choke)…you’re supposed to wear costumes?…
November 5th, 2009 on 7:22 pm
hahhahaha. hey, if my guy is not using his roadkill get up, maybe he’ll loan it to you if you want….
November 5th, 2009 on 7:40 pm
Haha…that lune probably saved it…
November 6th, 2009 on 3:59 pm
My husband and I will be there as dos calaveras, so you won’t likely recognize us….