Carnaval de Ponce
The third edition of Carnaval Comunitario de Ponce will be held from September the 10th to September the 13th. Many communities from several municipalities in the South will get together to celebrate with music, parades, vejigantes, and merry-go-rounds. Two interesting activities will be featured in this event: vegijantes and the sardine’s burial (“entierro de la sardina”).
About Vejigantes
The vejigante is a folkloric character in Puerto Rican carnivals, festivals, and other events. They wear brightly colored, ornate masks of all colors and costumes with bat-like wings. The origin of the vejigantes go back to medieval Spain, when infidel Moors were defeated in a battle led by St. James. At the time, people dressed as daemons participated in processions to honor the Saint. In Puerto Rico, the tradition was enriched with the bomba and plena music.
About Entierro de la Sardina
Entierro de la Sardina is a Spanish ceremony celebrating the end of carnival and other festivities. The “Burials” generally consist of a carnival parade that parodies a funeral procession and culminates with the burning of a symbolic figure, usually a representation of a sardine.
What to expect in Ponce’s Carnival
- Food kiosks/gastronomy
- Carnival environment
- Live music
- Artistic Performances
- Merry-go-rounds
Type of event
Family-oriented
Program of activities
Jueves, 10 de Septiembre
Entrada del Rey Momo
Desfile saliendo desde frente al Cementerio Civil.
Protocolos de Apertura
En Tarima:
08:00 PM – Comparsa Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce
08:30 PM – Kevin Gabriel “El Gallito Salsero”
09:30 PM – Grupo Son Del Sabor Viernes
11 de Septiembre:
Baile de Máscaras
Reconocimiento Al Gran Mariscal David Santiago Torres.
En Tarima:
08:00 PM – Renacer Osmosis & Kids
08:45 PM – Kpop Talent
10:00 PM – David Santiago y Sus Tambores
Sábado,12 de Septiembre:
07:00 PM – Coronación de las Reinas Desfile saliendo desde frente al Cementerio Municipal Civil
En Tarima:
09:00 PM – Zaki Malave & Rumba Stars
10:30 PM – Grupo Bandarica
11:30 PM – Horus “El Nuevo Talento”
Domingo, 13 de Septiembre:
04:30 PM -Desfile de Carnaval,
Saliendo desde frente al Cementerio Municipal.
En Tarima:
07:00 PM – Centenaria Banda Municipal de Ponce
08:00 PM – ENTIERRO DE LA SARDINA
09:00 PM – Ricardo Jesús “La Voz Juvenil Ponceña”
10:30 PM – Grupo Fuera de Liga
More information this Carnaval de Ponce’s edition
Visit the Facebook page of Mayita Meléndez or the official Facebook page. Also, check this article published by La Perla del Sur.
About Ponce
Ponce is the most populated city outside the San Juan area. The city has a colonial style, with an atmosphere charmingly laid-back in contrast to the economic and nightlife activity in San Juan. There are many attractions in Ponce, you can check some of them in Wikitravel.com. They have an excellent article that details how to get around Ponce. Ponce is known to be one of the best exposers of the vejigante tradition in Puerto Rico where you will find some of the island’s best artisans and mask-makers.
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