Observances Yearly | ||
Type Local, religious, historical Celebrations Parade, cultural festivals | ||
Las Mañanitas is an annual event held in Ponce, Puerto Rico, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It consists of a pre-dawn festival parade, followed by a Christian mass, and a popular town breakfast.
Contents
History
The celebration started in 1964, but the circumstances of its origin are uncertain. Some say it was started by immigrant Mexican engineers while others state it was started by Spaniards from Extremadura, Spain. During the celebration participants and attendees join in singing together the traditional Las Mañanitas song while Mexican mariachis provide the background music. The city of Ponce offers a free breakfast to everyone present at the historic Ponce City Hall after the religious Mass concludes.
Venue
The outdoors/indoors pre-dawn festival-parade starts at Parque del Tricentenario, runs down Calle Isabel street and ends at Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at Plaza Las Delicias in downtown Ponce.
Attendance
The early morning, pre-dawn celebration is attended by over 10,000 people, including mayors and other prominent figures.
Schedule
The celebration occurs every December 12 and starts at 4:00am. The city of Ponce offers a free breakfast to everyone present at the historic Ponce City Hall after the religious Mass concludes. Mariachis continue their music while attendees have their breakfast.
While not a part of this celebration, in the past the Government of Ponce has scheduled the Ponce Marathon to occur on the same day as the Las Mañanitas celebration. Marathon runners get an early start (5am) and complete their run just after the Catholic mass has ended and while the public municipal city breakfast is taking place.