You’ve heard of the old expression, “Come as you are.” Here’s an invitation to do just the opposite: to come as you aren’t.

Whether you outfit yourself as a gypsy or a pirate, a sailor or a 1920's flapper, you’re helping to revive a long-missed tradition of Carnaval Mazatlan.

It’s the return of the costume ball, largely abandoned years ago after a gaily disguised figure pirouetted up to then-Gov. Rodolfo T. Loaiza and shot him at point blank range. While there have been some costume dances during Carnavals since then, the custom sputtered and finally died out more than a decade ago. Now Carnaval enthusiasts figure that it’s time to resurrect a festivity that represents the true spirit of Carnaval. This is, after all, a new millennium and a new start for the tradition of costumed partygoers -- 103 years after the modern institution of Carnaval Mazatlan began in 1898.

Costumes certainly help a person to shrug off his or her everyday self and at the same time trade one’s usual behavior for whatever the persona of the costume requires. And at the “Baile de Fachas” (Costume Ball) being organized by the Carnaval committee, participants can either come to ogle their fellow revelers or join in on a competition for prizes. Either way, it’s guaranteed to be a lively time, and the proceeds from entrance fees of 150 pesos

per person are going to a worthy cause, the Mazatlan Orphanage.

The party actually precedes Carnaval Mazatlan (Feb. 22-27) by a week. It begins at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 at the El Cid Country Club. The admission ticket includes hors d’oeuvres, dancing and a no-host bar. The evening’s entertainment will be a chance to see the costumes on parade, both by contestants and by fellow party guests. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in three categories: individual, couple and group, with judging by a panel of distinguished local citizens. Everyone is welcome to attend and to compete.

Those who plan to get in on the costume contest segment of the evening can sign up at the reception desk inside the entrance of the El Cid Clubhouse any time, but preferably by Feb. 9, when a cocktail party for contestants will be held at 8 p.m. at the clubhouse. At that event participants will be given the final details of the competition and the standards the judges will be looking for. Prizes such as foreign trips are expected to attract a lively group of competitors.

Tickets for the dance also are being sold at the clubhouse reception desk. According to Lucamen Coppel, spokeswoman for the organizing committee, those who plan to attend will be encouraged to come in costume, or at least to wear a mask. That, after all, is a key ingredient for any costume party.