Photos: 34th Annual All Souls Procession in Tucson, 2023
The 34th Annual All Souls Procession in Tucson on Nov. 5, 2023.
The event has grown from humble beginnings in 1990, when Tucson artist Susan Johnson was searching for a way to honor her father and work through her grief after his death. She was joined by about 25 people. Today the procession is put on by Many Mouths One Stomach.
The All Souls Procession is not associated with All Hallow's Eve (Halloween) or Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), though procession participants sometimes borrow symbolism from those traditional events.
Participants line up for the start of the 34th annual All Souls Procession in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood on Nov. 5, 2023.
Denise Siano, far right, holds a photo of her son Paul who died in 2016 of an accidental overdose of fentanyl before the start of the 34th Annual All Souls Procession in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood on November 5, 2023.
Photos of loved ones are displayed on boxes before the start of the 34th Annual All Souls Procession in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood on November 5, 2023.
An usher places notes of remembrances inside the urn before the start of the 34th Annual All Souls Procession on November 5, 2023.
Jennifer Davila holds her homemade ofrenda filled with photos of loved ones who have passed away before the start of the 34th Annual All Souls Procession in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood on November 5, 2023.
Betsy Cacchione, left, holds a photo of her mother, Bonnie, as she and Scott Hanes arrive to the start of the 34th Annual All Souls Procession in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood on stilts, November 5, 2023.
Ramona Vasquez, right, holds cards of loved ones who have passed away before the start of the 34th Annual All Souls Procession in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood on November 5, 2023. Her sister, Rebecca Becker sits by other photos of loved ones to honor.
Participants walk down on Grande Avenue during the 34th Annual All Souls Procession on November 5, 2023.
Participants line up for the start of the 34th Annual All Souls Procession in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood on November 5, 2023.
Participants walk down on Grande Avenue during the 34th Annual All Souls Procession on November 5, 2023.
Participants walk down on Grande Avenue during the 34th Annual All Souls Procession on November 5, 2023.
Ren Hammond gets a better view of the procession, sitting on her mom’s, Amie Morton, shoulders during the 34th Annual All Souls Procession on November 5, 2023.
Participants wait at the intersection of St. Mary’s Road and Grande Avenue during the 34th Annual All Souls Procession on November 5, 2023.
A performer breathes out a fire ball during the 34th Annual All Souls Procession on November 5, 2023.
Onlookers get a better view seated up in a tree during the 34th Annual All Souls Procession on November 5, 2023.
A man takes a video during the 34th Annual All Souls Procession as it arrives at the MSA Annex on November 5, 2023.
Urn ushers hold out buckets to collect people’s messages to loved ones as they make their way to the MSA Annex during the 34th annual All Souls Procession, November 5, 2023.
Aurelio Cramer rides an Ape Hanger bike complete with an ofrenda attachment to honor fallen family members as the rest of his family wears head-to-toe Dia de los Muertos-inspired outfits at the 34th annual All Souls Procession in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood, November 5, 2023.
All Souls Procession participants Patricia Maisch, left, wears the names of the lives taken during the Parkland school shooting next to Katie Woodall, Route 91 Harvest Music Festival survivor, who wears a denim jacket covered in hearts to represent the 60 lives lost that day, Barrio Hollywood neighborhood, November 5, 2023.
Christy Schannep, left, and her husband Dwight Schannep wear calaveras as they walk down Grande Avenue in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood at the 34th annual All Souls Procession, November 5, 2023.
People walk, roll and ride over to the beginning of the procession during the 34th annual All Souls Procession, November 5, 2023.
Claire Sheffler collects donations in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood with Flam Chen to ensure the All Souls Procession continues for a 35th year, November 5, 2023.
Ashley Macken stands in front of St Margaret’s Church during the 34th annual All Souls Procession in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood, November 5, 2023.
A man wears a full frame photo of a young boy as he walks toward the MSA Annex during the 34th annual All Souls Procession, November 5, 2023.
The main procession makes its way to the MSA Annex during the 34th annual All Souls Procession, November 5, 2023.
Samantha Corrales safety pins a ribbon that holds a message to her deceased loved ones onto a banner to be displayed during the 34th annual All Souls Procession, November 5, 2023.
The main procession walks toward the MSA Annex with a sign that reads “Palestine will be free” during the 34th annual All Souls Procession, November 5, 2023.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
Grace Trejo
Photojournalist
