Las Mañanitas is an annual event held in Ponce, Puerto Rico, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It consists of a pre-dawn popular religious procession, followed by a Catholic Mass, and a breakfast for attendees hosted by the municipal government.Vuelven a Ponce las Fiestas Patronales. Carmen Cila Rodríguez. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2015. Archived at WayBack Machine on 1 February 2015. It takes place every 12 December, and is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ponce as well as attended by Catholic leaders from across Puerto Rico.Latente la Tradición: Multitud Madruga para Venerar en Ponce la Virgen de Guadalupe. Coral Negron Almodóvar. La Perla del Sur. Year 35, Issue 1724. (14 to 20 December 2016) Ponce, Puerto Rico. p. 4. Widely covered by the press, the annual event is attended by over 10,000 people, including religious and political leaders and the general public.Miles le cantan las Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe en Ponce. Primera Hora. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2015. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 feast was modified in line with safety protocols: the public procession was cancelled, the day’s solemn Mass was broadcast on live television, and people were required to celebrate within their homes. Voces del Sur. 26 November 2020. Accessed 29 November 2020.
History The celebration started in 1964,Latente la Tradición: Multitud Madruga para Venerar en Ponce la Virgen de Guadalupe. Coral Negrón Almodóvar. La Perla del Sur. Year 35, Issue 1724. (14 to 20 December 2016) Ponce, Puerto Rico. p. 4. Archived. 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.Latente la Tradición: Multitud Madruga para Venerar en Ponce la Virgen de Guadalupe. Coral Negron Almodóvar. La Perla del Sur. Year 35, Issue 1724. (14 to 20 December 2016) Ponce, Puerto Rico. p. 4. During the celebration participants and attendees join in singing together the traditional Las Mañanitas song while Mexican mariachis provide the background music.A celebrar Las Mañanitas en Ponce. Primera Hora. 2 December 2011.Las Mananitas for Guadalupe. John Rieping. The Madera Tribune. Madera, California. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2015. The city of Ponce offers a free breakfast to everyone present at the historic Ponce City Hall after the religious Mass concludes.Vivo el fervor por la Guadalupana. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
Venue The outdoors/indoors pre-dawn festival-parade starts at Parque del Tricentenario, runs down Calle Isabel and ends at Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at Plaza Las Delicias in downtown Ponce.Cientos de personas asisten a “Las Mañanitas” de Ponce. Metro. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
Attendance and cost The early morning, pre-dawn celebration is attended by over 10,000 people, including mayors and other prominent figures.Miles le cantan las Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe en Ponce. Primera Hora. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2015. In 2016, the event, together with the lighting of the City Hall Christmas decorations and the kickoff of its fiestas patronales, cost the municipality around $30,000.Ponce recibe la Navidad, celebra fiestas patronales y 'Las Mañanitas' Hiram Santiago. El Vocero. 1 December 2016
Schedule The celebration occurs every 12 December and starts at 4:00am.Vuelven a Ponce las Fiestas Patronales. Carmen Cila Rodríguez. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2015. The city of Ponce offers a free breakfast to everyone present at the historic Ponce City Hall after the religious Mass concludes.Vivo el fervor por la Guadalupana. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2015. Mariachis continue their music while attendees have their breakfast.A celebrar Las Mañanitas en Ponce. Primera Hora. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
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.Todo listo para La Guadalupe: Se correrá el domingo 11 desde las 5am en Ponce. El Nuevo Dia. 2 December 2011. Virgen De La Guadalupe Ponce 2010, Un Éxito!!
See also Bienal de Arte de Ponce Carnaval de Ponce Carnaval de Vejigantes Día Mundial de Ponce Feria de Artesanías de Ponce Festival de Bomba y Plena de San Antón Festival Nacional Afrocaribeño Festival Nacional de la Quenepa Fiesta Nacional de la Danza Ponce Jazz Festival
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