The streets of Ponce will come alive with vibrant color, bomba and plena music and the infamous masked vejigantes, during the week long Ponce Carnival beginning on March 2 and ending Tuesday March 8, the day before Ash Wednesday.
The Ponce Carnival is a major event in the Puerto Rico calendar and it is one of the oldest festivals in the western hemisphere dating back to around 1858.
The highlight of the Ponce Carnival has to be the masked vejigantes that roam the streets. They carry a stick to beat away evil and a blown cow bladder to make loud noises, but it’s their colorful masks that make these costumed individuals stand out.
The Ponce carnival typically begins with a huge Vejigantes party on the Wednesday before Ash Wednesday and ends with the Burial of the Sardine (complete with coffin) on the day before Ash Wednesday
Typical Ponce Carnival Events
Wednesday: Vejigantes Party
Thursday: King Momo Entrance Parade
Friday: Crowning of the Child Queen
Saturday: Crowning of the Carnival Adult Queen
Sunday: Main Parade
Monday: Carnival’s Ball Dance
Tuesday: Burial of the Sardine
If you are looking to experience a typical Puerto Rican festival, then head down to Ponce and enjoy the Ponce Carnival. While you are there check out these things to do on the south coast of Puerto Rico.
What: Ponce Carnival 2011
When: March 2 -8, 2011 (date varies yearly but is the week before Ash Wednesday)
Where: Downtown Ponce
Photo published with the permission of Hector Irizarry
