up from the end of November to the beginning of January. In addition to the lights the event also features amusement rides, and an exhibition of sky lanterns. Some of the annual events are related to Atlixco's economy. The Festival de la Flor (Flower Festival) celebrates the municipality's main economic activity of growing flowers. Starting in the second week of March, giant "carpets" are created by arranging flowers on the street. During the last two weeks of the month, large flower sculptures are created to attract visitors, along with musical events and other attractions. The Feria de la Nochebuena (Poinsettia Fair) begins on November 25 and runs through the Christmas season to promote the plants of this type grown in the municipality. The Feria de la Noche Buena began in 2001 and is timed for the start of the Christmas season. The Feria de la Cecina (Cecina Fair) promotes the local version of this meat, in August with artistic and cultural events. The last two weeks of October are dedicated to the regional fair. La Noche de las Estrellas (Night of the Stars) occurs on the last Saturday of February, when about 5,000 people come together on the Cerro de San Miguel mountain to observe the night sky, through the telescopes of the observatory there. The event promotes the organizations courses and workshops as well as a program to provide telescopes to families. For Holy Week, the streets of the Nexatengo community are adorned with flowers, pine branches and sawdust carpets for a procession of Jesus in which 8,000 people participate in an eight km procession. The Desfile de Calaveras (Skull Parade) takes place on November 2, Day of the Dead. It is during traditional festivals that local food specialties and dress most often appear. Traditional dishes include cecina, a local variety of consome called "atlixquense," chiles en nogada, barbacoa, mole poblano, mole de panza, mole de olla, mole verde, pozole blanco, tostadas, enchiladas, pambazos, tortas, cemitas, molotes and tlacoyos. The most traditional dress is now seen only on certain occasions and dances. For women, this is the style of the China Poblana, or alternatively a long full flowered skirt with white blouse and rebozo. For men this consists of a shirt and pants made of undyed cotton, huaraches and a hat made of palm fronds. Economy The city of Atlixco is a regional commercial, manufacturing and industrial center with