Updates and Schedule for Patron Saint Festival in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Landon Hollander - InsideLaCruz
April 19, 2013

Opening Parade for La Cruz de Huanacaxtle's 2012 Fiestas Patronales. Amigos de La Cruz were in the parade for first time ever. (lacruzamigos)

This year’s Fiestas Patronales de La Santa Cruz de Huanacaxtle (Celebration of the Patron Saint of La Cruz) will kick-off with an open-to-all parade on Thursday, April 25, starting at the back of the El Mangal Colonia, proceeding to the Punta de Mita highway, and then briefly south on main entry street Ave. Langosta, then zig-zagging down the east/west streets and ending at the main Plaza Benito Juarez.

Like any respectable parade or procession in Mexico, anticipate plenty of bottle rockets (think: noise).

This year, I am on the organizing committee and I must say, it has given me a new perspective and a true appreciation of how much work goes into the event.

Heading the planning committee once again this year are el Profe Carlos Ariel, (instructor at the high school and local businessman) a vigorous supporter and organizer of all cultural events in La Cruz, and Delegado Alberto García de Haro (Angel).//pvangels.com/news/1176/meet-la-cruz-delagado-angel-alberto-garcia-de-haro

Thursday, April 25, will open the Fiestas Patronales. The Festival begins with a float parade through town beginning at 6:00 pm, the presentation of the contestants for May Festivals Homecoming Queen and features live music in the Plaza. Extensive food and drink will be available this and every night.

Schedule for the remaining nights of the Festival:

• Friday, April 26 - Rock Night in the Main Plaza starting at 9:00 pm.  

• Saturday, April 27 - May Festival Homecoming Queen Contest and free dancing in the Plaza with La Imponente Band starting at 8:00 pm.  

• Sunday, April 28 - Fiesta Folklorica featuring the Tintoc Municipal Ballet Company and the La Cruz Hawaiian Dance Company with guest vocalists. Games and contests start at 8:00 pm.  

• Monday, April 29 - Reggaeton Night featuring Yair, Aram, and others.

• Tuesday, April 30 - Children's Day featuring games, contests and prizes for kids and the Children's Hawaiian Dance Group of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle under the direction of Maestro Luis of the Escuela Primaria Emiliano Zapata (Primary School).  

• Wednesday, May 1 - A Musical Evening featuring Mary La Nayarita and singers from La Cruz and Nayarit starting at 9:00 pm.  

• Thursday, May 2 - Free Night of Music and Dance in the Plaza featuring the Municipal Symphony Orchestra starting at 9:00 pm.  

• Friday, May 3 - Religious Festival with Live Music and free snacks in the Plaza to celebrate the end of the May Festival.  Charro Horse dance, Maceualoyan Ballet Folklorico Group of La Cruz and the Taiyari Ballet Folklorico Group of Mezcales. Fireworks and fair.

Please plan on attending the nightly celebrations to support all of the hard work that has gone into planning and organizing this important annual event.

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