The Tucson Casineros performed salsa dancing in the 33rd annual All Souls Procession on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in downtown Tucson. Towards the end of the procession attendees place notes within a ceremonial urn and burn the letters.
The 33rd annual All Souls Procession brought hundreds of attendees together to share the sentiment of remembering their friends and family with people whom they have never seen before.
The celebration brought all different kinds of cultures to the forefront as people walked hand in hand sharing photos and memories of their lost loved ones.
Lisa Espinosa has gone to the procession for years, since she moved from Pittsburgh. She remembers her son Raymond Jose “RJ” Pantoja, who died trying to stop a fight at the age of 26.
Attendees made mobile ofrendas to remember their loved ones who passed away during the 33rd annual All Souls Procession in downtown Tucson. An ofrenda is an altar filled with photos of family or friends who passed away. They tend to also have personal belongings, favorite food/drinks, flowers and candles that are identified with the person who died.
“Family is love,” Espinosa said. “Those that we love live on. Even when they’ve passed on, they’ve left their mark on this world and on this earth.”
She looks at this evening as a way for her to remember the impact he left on everyone–not just herself.
“He died a hero and that’s who I raised,” she said. “Remembering him tonight is just another tribute, another way to honor his memory among other people in fellowship, in togetherness.”
VIEW LARGER Attendees dressed up as calaveras as they walk the streets of Tucson to remember their loved ones who passed away at the 33rd annual All Souls Procession in downtown Tucson. Many carried marigold flowers as it is believed that marigolds guide the souls of the dead to the ofrendas that were prepared for them. For Mark Patrick, it took him 10 years to attend the annual event. But this year, he needed to remember his son, Army Sgt. Michael Robert Patrick and his mother, Loretta Sue Patrick, who passed away just a couple of weeks ago.
“I think it's important that we remember and realize the importance in our life that they had in our lives and that we always take a time and just take a breath and remember who they were and what they meant to us,” Patrick said.
Attendees got creative using umbrellas to place multiple photos of their loved ones who passed away at the 33rd annual All Souls Procession in downtown Tucson. The procession spans two miles and on average brings well over 150,000 participants.
Others attendees like Helen O’Brien, who was remembering her parents, see this as a reminder that their loved ones walk beside them everyday, even in spirit.
“I don’t feel like they’re really gone. Right? They’re still with you everyday. They can’t really be gone-gone because you’ve known them for so long and have been around them for so long. You know, you hear their voices and you think about them and know they are there.”
VIEW LARGER Two women walk down a street for the 33rd annual All Souls Procession on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in downtown Tucson. The event serves as a way for community members to remember loved ones. With tears of celebration filling the streets and community members coming together in remembrance, Brian Beck, who has attended the event since the 90s hopes everyone leaves with one message.
“The important thing is to remember to make the most of every moment with every person that you love.”
Many attendees made posters with pictures of their loved ones who passed away for the 33rd annual All Souls Procession in downtown Tucson. The procession first began in 1990 with a ceremonial performance created by local artist Susan Johnson.
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