Carnaval de Vejigantes
{{Short description|Annual celebration held in Ponce, Puerto Rico}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Carnaval de Vejigantes
| image = Afiche del Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce, Barrio Playa, Ponce, Puerto Rico (40).jpg
| caption = Typical poster used to announce the carnival
| official_name = Carnaval de Vejigantes de La Playa de Ponce
| nickname = Carnaval de La Playa,
Carnaval de Vejigantes
| observances =
| date = Weeks leading to Ash Wednesday
| celebrations = Parade, dancing, food, parties
| longtype = Local, cultural
| type = Cultural
| significance =
| relatedto = Lent
| frequency = Annual
| duration = 3 days
| date2020 = Canceled{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200122021141/https://vocesdelsurpr.com/2019/07/expondran-arte-en-la-plaza-juan-ponce-de-leon-de-la-ciudad-senorial/ Expondrán arte en la Plaza Juan Ponce de León de la Ciudad Señorial.]}} Voces del Sur. 31 July 2019. Accessed 21 January 2020.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200224171328/https://vocesdelsurpr.com/2020/01/con-nueva-fecha-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes-de-la-playa-de-ponce/ Con nueva fecha el Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce.]}} Sara Marrero Caban. 14 January 2020. Accessed 24 February 2020.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200417024737/https://vocesdelsurpr.com/2020/04/cancelan-edicion-2020-del-carnaval-de-vejigantes-de-la-playa-de-ponce/ Cancelan edición 2020 del Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce.]}} Voces de Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 4 April 2020. Accessed 16 April 2020.
{{efn|Due to the January 2020 Puerto Rico earthquakes, the event dates were changed from their regular 6 to 9 February 2020 dates to 29 April to 3 May 2020. However, after the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic affected Puerto Rico, the 2020 edition of the Carnaval was canceled on 12 April 2020.}}
| date2022 = 30 June - 3 July[https://culturalpr.com/event-pro/carnaval-de-vejigantes-2022/ Carnaval de Vejigantes 2022: Ven a celebrar el tradicional Carnaval de la Playa de Ponce.] CulturalPR.com 30 June 2022. Accessed 10 July 2022.
}}
The Carnaval de Vejigantes, officially Carnaval de Vejigantes de La Playa de Ponce,[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/con-ritmo-caribeno-arranca-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ Con ritmo caribeño arranca el Carnaval de Vejigantes: El multitudinario festejo inicia oficialmente este jueves, 31 de enero.] La Perla del Sur. 30 January 2019. Accessed 16 January 2020. is an annual celebration held at Barrio Playa in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The celebration, which commonly lasts three to five days,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20190124023341/http://vocesdelsurpr.com/event/carnaval-de-vejigantes-de-la-playa-de-ponce/ Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce: 25 enero, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 3 febrero, 2019 @ 10:00 pm Gratuito.]}} Accessed 16 January 2020. generally takes place in late January or early February.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfpEyoM50uc 33. Carnaval de la Playa de Ponce.] Gilberto Limardo Rodríguez. Isla Caribe Podcast #33. Time = 4:00 of 23:23. Accessed 16 January 2020. It started in 1991.[https://issuu.com/hectorm.burgosturpo/docs/edicion_121/12 A Celebrar el Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce.] El Laurel Sureño. 30 de diciembre de 2016 al 12 de enero de 2017. p. 12. Accessed 1 January 2020. It takes place at Parque Lucy Grillasca on PR-585 in Barrio Playa.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20190124023341/http://vocesdelsurpr.com/event/carnaval-de-vejigantes-de-la-playa-de-ponce/ Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce: 25 enero, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 3 febrero, 2019 @ 10:00 pm Gratuito.]}} Voces del Sur. Accessed 16 January 2020. The parade, one of the highlights of the carnival, usually takes off from Cancha Salvador Dijols on Avenida Hostos (PR-123) and ends at Parque Lucy Grillasca (PR-585).[https://issuu.com/hectorm.burgosturpo/docs/edicion_121/12 A Celebrar el Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce.] El Laurel Sureño. 30 de diciembre de 2016 al 12 de enero de 2017. p. 12. Accessed 1 January 2020. Attendance is estimated at over 15,000 people.[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/inicia-el-conteo-regresivo-para-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ Inicia el conteo regresivo para el Carnaval de Vejigantes: Este festejo palpita gracias al empeño de maestros artesanos de la careta carnavalesca de cartón piedra, al retumbe de comparsas de bomba y plena, a creadoras de comidas con aroma a salitre y un pueblo alegre que ensalza, desde sus costumbres hasta su humilde origen.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116155300/https://www.periodicolaperla.com/inicia-el-conteo-regresivo-para-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ |date=16 January 2020 }} Waldo Covas and Omar Alfonso. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 23 January 2019. Accessed 16 January 2020. It is attended by people from all over Puerto Rico, and some attendees are from as far as the United States.[https://www.primerahora.com/suroeste/entretenimiento/eventos/nota/lascallesdelaplayasevestirandefiesta-1323068/ Las calles de La Playa se vestirán de fiesta: El carnaval del barrio de Ponce será hasta el domingo, 3 de febrero.] Primera Hora. 24 January 2019. Accessed 16 January 2020. It is organized and operated by a community, civic, NGO group, not by any government or government agency.[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/multitudinario-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ Vibrante el Carnaval de Vejigantes.] La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 2 February 2010. Accessed 16 January 2020.
This carnival is different from many other carnivals in that attendees are not mere spectators, but people who are encouraged to take part in the carnival. The public is actually encouraged to come with their panderos, vejigante masks, güiros and maracas and participate ad hoc.[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/todos-la-calle-carnaval-la-playa/ Todos a la calle para el Carnaval de La Playa.] Omar Alfonso. La Perla del Sur. 1 February 2017. Accessed 16 January 2020. The carnival has been called the "antesala" (gateway) to lent and to the Ponce Carnival: "This carnaval is not a fiesta patronal nor a festival. It's a town party and its essence lies in a public that participates."[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/inicia-el-conteo-regresivo-para-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ Inicia el conteo regresivo para el Carnaval de Vejigantes: Este festejo palpita gracias al empeño de maestros artesanos de la careta carnavalesca de cartón piedra, al retumbe de comparsas de bomba y plena, a creadoras de comidas con aroma a salitre y un pueblo alegre que ensalza, desde sus costumbres hasta su humilde origen.] Waldo Covas and Omar Alfonso. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 23 January 2019. Accessed 16 January 2020. It aims to strengthen family bonds, create long-lasting memories, share together as a community, and keep local traditions alive.[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/multitudinario-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ Vibrante el Carnaval de Vejigantes.] La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 2 February 2010. Accessed 16 January 2020.
The Carnival brings together some 1,200 artists, including some 10 music bands, groups of vejigantes with over 40 people each, over 100 masked vejigantes, choreographed dancers, plus the thousands of locals who join in. This carnival has been described as a "townspeople feast of controlled chaos."[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/inicia-el-conteo-regresivo-para-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ Inicia el conteo regresivo para el Carnaval de Vejigantes: Este festejo palpita gracias al empeño de maestros artesanos de la careta carnavalesca de cartón piedra, al retumbe de comparsas de bomba y plena, a creadoras de comidas con aroma a salitre y un pueblo alegre que ensalza, desde sus costumbres hasta su humilde origen.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116155300/https://www.periodicolaperla.com/inicia-el-conteo-regresivo-para-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ |date=16 January 2020 }} Waldo Covas and Omar Alfonso. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 23 January 2019. Accessed 16 January 2020. Besides music, dance and food, the carnivals also features amusement rides, artisans, cheerleaders, jugglers, and arts and crafts, among other attractions.[https://www.puertoricohotelesparadores.com/ponce/carnaval-de-vejigantes-2018 CARNAVAL DE VEJIGANTES 2018: Ponce, Puerto Rico.] Descubra Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Hoteles y Paradores. 2010. Accessed 16 January 2020. There are also workshops for children on how to make vejigante masks.[http://www.indicepr.com/suroeste/noticias/2015/08/06/47100/se-viste-de-color-el-ponce-hilton/ Se viste de color el Ponce Hilton: Presentan el Carnaval de Vejigantes.] Cynthia I. Torres. El Nuevo Dia. 6 August 2015. Accessed 16 January 2020.[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/playeros-pintan-la-ruta-hacia-un-nuevo-carnaval/ Playeros pintan la ruta hacia el carnaval.] Sandra Torres Guzmán. La Perla del Sur. 20 January 2016. Accessed 16 January 2020.
History
It was started by a 13-year-old[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/es-tiempo-de-carnaval/ Regresa el Carnaval de La Playa de Ponce.] Sandra Torres Guzmán. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 29 January 2014. Accessed 16 January 2020. boy named Ricardo Santiago Román,[https://www.primerahora.com/suroeste/entretenimiento/eventos/nota/lascallesdelaplayasevestirandefiesta-1323068/ Las calles de La Playa se vestirán de fiesta: El carnaval del barrio de Ponce será hasta el domingo, 3 de febrero.] Primera Hora. 24 January 2019. Accessed 16 January 2020. who later became a municipal employee.[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/inicia-el-conteo-regresivo-para-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ Inicia el conteo regresivo para el Carnaval de Vejigantes: Este festejo palpita gracias al empeño de maestros artesanos de la careta carnavalesca de cartón piedra, al retumbe de comparsas de bomba y plena, a creadoras de comidas con aroma a salitre y un pueblo alegre que ensalza, desde sus costumbres hasta su humilde origen.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116155300/https://www.periodicolaperla.com/inicia-el-conteo-regresivo-para-el-carnaval-de-vejigantes/ |date=16 January 2020 }} Waldo Covas and Omar Alfonso. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 23 January 2019. Accessed 16 January 2020. The first parade started off from the Alfredo Agyayo High School on Avenida Hostos and marched down the street where the Candita y Matías Store was located (Calle Colón, now named Calle José Antonio Salamán). It would end in front of their store.[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/todos-la-calle-carnaval-la-playa/ Todos a la calle para el Carnaval de La Playa.] Omar Alfonso. La Perla del Sur. 1 February 2017. Accessed 16 January 2020. Some people believe that the origins of the Carnaval de Vejigantes and the first masked vejigante dance in Ponce took place in Barrio Playa sometime before the 1858 date usually attributed to the start of the Ponce Carnival.[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/todos-la-calle-carnaval-la-playa/ Todos a la calle para el Carnaval de La Playa.] Omar Alfonso. La Perla del Sur. 1 February 2017. Accessed 16 January 2020.
Planning and security
Several activities take place in the days leading to the carnival date. These include a press conference, an informal vejigante run through the streets of Barrio Playa to promote the motto of that year's carnival, and a mini carnival at the casino of the Ponce Hilton Hotel, oriented to the elderly.[https://es-es.facebook.com/notes/mayita-mel%C3%A9ndez/inician-actividades-previo-al-carnaval-de-vejigantes/527376433974089/ Inician Actividades Previo al Carnaval de Vejigantes.] Mayita Melendez. 13 January 2013. Accessed 16 January 2020. Both pre-carnival and carnival events are well staffed by security and law enforcement personnel and, by its 28th edition (2018), no security incidents had occurred.[https://puertoricanbiker.com/a-disfrutar-del-carnaval-de-vejigantes-de-la-playa-de-ponce/ A disfrutar del Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce.] Cyber News. 30 January 2018. Accessed 16 January 2020.
Costumes and masks
The main feature of the carnival is the display of vejigante customs, and mostly focused on their masks. Traditionally the masks have been hand-made by skilled artisans from Barrio Playa. Vejigantes carry blown cow bladders with which they make sounds and chase after the carnival spectators throughout the processions.
The traditional vejigante masks of the Ponce Playa Carnival are made of paper mache and are characterized by the presence of multiple horns. The mask was developed by Ponce artisans in the early part of the 20th century. They are made from newsprint paper mixed with homemade glue and paint. Sophisticated Ponce carnival masks are sought after by mask collectors and masks from Ponce have become a symbol of Puerto Rico at large.Antonio R. Gomez and Margarita Diaz. Unmasking the Ponce Carnival. Daily News. New York, New York. Puerto Rican Day Parade Special Supplement. 8 June 1995. The Carnaval de Vejigantes ends with the Burial of the Sardine. People of all ages, from children to those in their 70s wear the vejigante customs to participate.[https://www.primerahora.com/suroeste/entretenimiento/eventos/nota/lascallesdelaplayasevestirandefiesta-1323068/ Las calles de La Playa se vestirán de fiesta: El carnaval del barrio de Ponce será hasta el domingo, 3 de febrero.] Primera Hora. 24 January 2019. Accessed 16 January 2020.
{{Clear}}
List of events
The Carnaval usually starts on a Wednesday and the events are typically as follows.[https://puertoricanbiker.com/a-disfrutar-del-carnaval-de-vejigantes-de-la-playa-de-ponce/ A disfrutar del Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce.] Cyber News. 30 January 2018. Accessed 16 January 2020.
:Wednesday: King Momo Entrance Parade
:Thursday: Carnival's Vejigantes Dance
:Friday: Crowning of the Carnival Adult and Child Queens
:Saturday: Grand Parade
:Sunday: Burial of the Sardine
Grand Marshal
The Grand Marshal of the 2018 edition was the actress and singer Carmen Nydia Velázquez,[https://www.primerahora.com/suroeste/entretenimiento/eventos/nota/lascallesdelaplayasevestirandefiesta-1323068/ Las calles de La Playa se vestirán de fiesta: El carnaval del barrio de Ponce será hasta el domingo, 3 de febrero.] Primera Hora. 24 January 2019. Accessed 16 January 2020. who was herself born in Barrio Playa.
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Ponce, Puerto Rico|state=collapsed}}
{{Carnival around the world}}
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Category:Carnivals in Puerto Rico
Category:Annual events in Puerto Rico
Category:Recurring events established in 1991