- Fiesta patronal
The Fiestas patronales ("patronage festivals" in English) are yearly celebrations held in countries influenced by
Spanish culture .A fiesta patronal is usually dedicated to a
saint or virgin, who is the "patron" of whichever city holds the fiesta. Usually, town members adorn the town streets with advertisements, colorful decorations and other things. In big cities, there are particular fiestas for each neighborhood, usually about the patron saint for the localparish .According to the budget of the town, fiestas patronales may last just one day or from weekend to weekend. Most Latin American countries dedicate the first day to the saint or virgin being celebrated; in
Puerto Rico , the musical and entertainment festivities begin right away.Most Fiestas patronales feature verbenas, live entertainment by famous international or local singers,
amusement park s, and street vendors, among other things, during the celebration. The famous group Menudo began their career by singing at these events in Puerto Rico.Fiestas patronales are not national holidays, because they only reflect the celebration of one city of a country.
Examples
*Spain
**Fiestas del Pilar around12th October inSaragossa
**Fallas around19th March in Valencia
**Bonfires of Saint John around24th June inAlicante
**San Fermín around7th July inPamplona *Puerto Rico
** [http://welcome.topuertorico.org/culture/festi.shtml Puerto Rico's Patron Saint Festivals]*El Salvador
**Yucuaquín, El Salvador (and Somerville, MA USA) 4th October [http://dca.tufts.edu/features/urban/MS083.004.001.00010.pdf "El baile de los negritos" Fiesta Patronal de San Francisco]ee also
*
Calendar of saints
*Holy Week
*Carnival
* [http://www.viajar.com.do/fiestas-patronales/ Fiestas Patronales Dominicanas]
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