Fiestas patronales de Ponce

Fiestas patronales de Ponce is an annual cultural celebration held at Plaza Las Delicias in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The celebration, which commonly lasts three days, takes place in late December. Ponce's Fiestas patronales are heavily influenced by Spanish culture and religion, and are a tradition held in honor of the city's patron saint, the Virgen of Guadalupe.[2][3][4] As such the celebration may be as old as the town itself (1692). The festivities usually include religious processions honoring its Catholic heritage. However, elements of African and local culture have been incorporated as well. They also feature parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.[5] It is attended mostly by people from the city of Ponce and its 18 surrounding barrios, but also people from all over Puerto Rico.[6] The free event's attendance is estimated in the hundreds every day.[7]

Fiestas patronales de Ponce
Also calledFiesta de pueblo[1]
TypeLocal, cultural
CelebrationsMusic, food, dancing, crafts, rides
ObservancesPatron saint
DateLast friday of the month
FrequencyYearly
First time1692 (approx.)
Related toVirgin of Guadalupe Patron saint

Contents and purpose

Fiestas patronales de Ponce is organized and held by the government of the municipality of Ponce.[8] The cost of the event to the municipality is around $30,000.[9] Fiestas patronales de Ponce aim to celebrate a cultural tradition while also strengthening family bonds, provide a venue to enhance community ties, and keep local traditions alive.[10] They typically brings together over 100 artists, including some 10 music bands, choreographed dancers, plus the thousands of locals who join in. This celebration has been described as a "townspeople feast."[11] Besides music, dance and food, Fiestas patronales de Ponce also features amusement rides, artisans, cheerleaders, jugglers, and arts and crafts, among other attractions.[12]

List of events
Above Virgen of Guadalupe, Ponce's patron saint.

Fiestas patronales are usually preceded by the lighting of the downtown Ponce Christmas decorations and the Nativity scene at the Ponce City Hall in early December. This kickoff event is frequently attended by the Mayor of Ponce.[13] This kickoff is also traditionally the unofficial precursor for the opening of Christmas-time season kiosk shops at Plaza Las Delicias, a tradition that has taken place since at least the middle of the 20th century. Fiestas patronales de Ponce usually start on a Friday. The following is the list of events for the 2019 Fiestas patronales, which are typical of the other years.

Friday:

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Victoria Sanabria: Trovando por tu salud con redes del Sureste
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Ricardo Jesús y su orquesta
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Academia Julie Mayoral
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Ballet Señorial
9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Jíbara Banda
11:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.: Moncho Rivera

Saturday:

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Instituto de Música Juan Morel Campos
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Catholic Mass
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Live to Dance Academy
9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Raúl Armando “El Rau”
11:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.: Kevvo

Sunday:

5:00 a.m.: Maratón de La Guadalupe
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: The Magnific Dragon
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Payaso Remi
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Catholic Mass
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Centenaria Banda Municipal de Ponce
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Catholic Mass
8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: Hermanos Sanabria
9:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.: Ballet Salsa Sur
10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.: La Sonora Ponceña
External video
video icon See the 2019 Fiestas Patronales de Ponce at Plaza Las Delicias, here

See also

References
  1. Fiesta de Pueblo. Ponce Municipal Government. 2015. Accessed 26 February 2020.
  2. Retreta en la plaza Las Delicias en Ponce. 30 November 2019. Accessed 26 February 2020.
  3. Pariser, Harry S. Explore Puerto Rico, Fifth Edition. 2003. San Francisco, CA: Manatee Press. pp. 52-55.
  4. The Festival of St. John the Baptist in Puerto Rico. Manthei, Emily. Travel Tips. 21 March 2018. Accessed 26 February 2020.
  5. Patron Saint Festivals. Welcome to Puerto Rico. Accessed 28 February 2020.
  6. Culminan con éxito las Fiestas Patronales en Ponce: Cientos de personas celebran la música puertorriqueña. Periodico El Sol de Puerto Rico. December 2019. Accessed 26 February 2020.
  7. Fiestas Patronales de Ponce: 14 diciembre, 2018 @ 5:00 am - 16 diciembre, 2018 @ 11:00 pm. Archived 26 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 26 February 2020.
  8. Listo Ponce para Las Mañanitas y sus fiestas patronales. Voces del Sur. 28 November 2016. Accessed 28 February 2020.
  9. Ponce recibe la Navidad, celebra fiestas patronales y 'Las Mañanitas' . Hiram Santiago. El Vocero. 1 December 2016. 26 February 2020.
  10. Fiestas patronales de Ponce 2017. MiAgendaPR.comAccessed 26 February 2020.
  11. Estranguladas las fiestas de pueblo: A los alcaldes no les dan los chavos para celebrar actividades culturales, ni para brindar donativos. PrimeraHora.com Accessed 26 February 2020.
  12. ¡Que no pare el jolgorio!: Sigue disfrutando de la Navidad boricua con estas actividades de k-chete. Primera Hora. 12 December 2019. Accessed 26 February 2020.
  13. Ponce recibe la Navidad, celebra fiestas patronales y 'Las Mañanitas' Hiram Santiago. El Vocero. 1 December 2016.
  • Ramon Marin. Las Fiestas Populares de Ponce. Editorial Universidad de Puerto Rico. 1994.

18°0′00″N 66°37′00″W

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