photo courtesy of flam chen Flam Chen is a Tucson-based, nationally known pyrotechnic theater group that creates narratives through music, movement and fire. They'll be performing this year as part of the downtown Dia De Los Muertos celebration.

Bust out the nice china, prepare a feast and gather with loved ones. No, it's not Thanksgiving. This Sunday is the Day of the Dead, or D’a de los Muertos.

The Hispanic holiday, a combination of ancient Aztec and other Meso-American rituals and Catholic traditions, honors the life of lost ones without the stuffy, somber mourning process so many of the bereaved follow.

Instead of attending a wake, donning black and shedding tears, D’a de los Muertos observers will attend to the dead by donning skeleton masks and shedding light on those who have passed. Traditions include visiting the gravesites of lost relatives, cleaning them up and bringing their favorite foods to share with their spirits, according to JosŽ Abelardo Frisby, owner of Las Cazuelitas restaurant.

Tucson, with such a high Hispanic population, offers festivities galore for the special day. Because of the timing of the day, the area comes alive with events that seem to all celebrate the lives of the dead. D’a de los Muertos falls around the same time of All Soul's Day and All Saint's Day, which is no coincidence.

As Spaniards conquered Mexico centuries ago, in an effort to wean off the "pagan" practices of the locals, they moved the D’a de los Muertos celebration to coincide with their own remembrance days. For this reason, the Day of the Dead has become a religious holiday as well as an ancient cultural celebration.

One of the biggest events in Tucson, the All Souls' Procession, happens on Saturday at 7 p.m. The procession, going into its 14th year, starts at the Muse at 516 N. Fifth Ave., and marches on down South Fourth Avenue into downtown, culminating with performances by groups like pyrotechnic extraordinaire Flam Chen. Last year, 1,000 people showed up with their masks, face paint and puppets. Many Mouths One Stomach, the organization that puts on the procession, worked closely with Tucson Puppet Works to make this event happen.

Eric Wagner, puppeteer and leader of free puppet-making workshops that helped participants create a puppet to exhibit at the procession, said attendees can count on a Johnny Cash puppet this year. Wagner also noted that the All Souls' Procession, wildly popular and attracting national attention, should not be confused with a strict D’a de los Muertos event. Though the celebratory nature seems similar, Wagner said there are some differences.

"At our parade, we don't put on any guidelines or parameters. People come and do what they want. We hope it will be sacred in some way," he said, contrasting the religious nature of D’a de los Muertos with the more laid-back procession.

If dressing up or parading a puppet doesn't sound like your style, you can simply observe the colorful procession from the sidelines. The Museum of Contemporary Art planned a gala for Saturday night that includes options to observe while enjoying dinner, music and cocktails from their location on 197 E. Toole Ave. or participate in the procession and return to the museum for dessert and dancing.

Other Events

All Souls' Procession: Free procession starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Muse building at 516 N. Fifth Ave. Call 770-1533 for more information.

All Souls' Procession Gala at MOCA: Event featuring dancing, cocktails, dinner and dessert. The whole package ranges from $50 to $175. Just dessert and dancing costs $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Call 624-5019 for information.

D’a de los Muertos, a Southwest Celebration: an exhibition of traditional Day of the Dead altars, sculptures, paintings and other art pieces. All weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $2-$5 (children, student, senior and adult tickets available). Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. Call 742-6455 for information.

The Meaning of the Day of the Dead: Sunday, at the Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free session that includes decorating your own sugar skull. Call 647-7275 for information.

Kaibab Courtyard Shops: This store features Day of the Dead art and artifacts year-round. Check it out at 2841 N. Campbell Ave. or call 795-6905 for more information.