Rain, thunder and plenty of man-made commotion are hallmarks of the traditional festivities held from June 5 through 13 in San Antonio Tlayacapan in tribute to the town’s religious patron, Saint Anthony of Padua.
Although cloudbursts are likely to occur throughout the coming week, conventional wisdom holds that the final day of the novenario (nine day celebration) marks the beginning of the annual season.
Processions are scheduled at 7 p.m. on all dates except June 13 when the starting time is set at 6 p.m.
The secular side of the celebration unfolds immediately after evening church services with a fun-filled verbena popular (fair) centered at the plaza. Attractions include live musical entertainment, mechanical rides, carnival games and a wide array of trinkets, snacks foods and beverages hawked from the sidewalk stands. Barring major downpours, the festivity culminates each night with a dazzling castillo fireworks display ignited between 9:30 and 10 p.m.
Motorists should bear in mind that streets located in a one block radius around the plaza will be blocked as long as the festivities are under way.
An arts and crafts exhibition with live music and complimentary cocktails will be held Monday, June 10, 5 p.m. at the town’s DIF center, located opposite the plaza on the corner of Ramon Corona and Gonzalez Gallo. Grupo Versatil Odisea Show from Ciudad Guzman will appear June 13, 9 p.m., to close out the fiestas with an upbeat spectacle of varied musical genres.