A rain of fire falling on the night of San Miguel while local braves dodge these furtive arrows is a spectacle to remember that seems torn from the very pages of the Bible.
For someone who is not familiar with what “La Alborada” is, this can be a highly impressive experience. This pyromaniac festival in honor of our Patron Saint, the Archangel Saint Michael is like our Christmas.
The celebration, which has lasted almost 500 years without interruption (with the exception of 2020, which was not celebrated due to the pandemic), will begin tonight with mariachi music. Spectators will gather to witness thousands of fireworks until the early hours of the morning.
The fearful dance of fire takes place as a representation of the dichotomous struggle of every human being; that is, between the light and darkness of our souls and between good and evil, each represented by the Archangel Saint Michael as God's messenger and as the champion of darkness, the prince of Darkness, Lucifer.
This pitched battle lasts for an hour, during which both sides face each other in a theatrical manner. The performers come from the colonies of Valle del Maíz, La Aurora and La Estación and carry with them enormous stars Many of them manufactured by Mr. Emigdio Ledesma who has been involved in this reliable work and art of cardboard making for decades.
Hundreds of people gather in the Main Garden to cheer on their favorite team until 5 in the morning, which ends when they play “La Mañanitas” in honor of the Archangel.
The next day, the traditional “Entrance of the Xúchiles” takes place, where the rhythm of the native dances from all over Mexico spreads its frenzy to thousands of people who move in tune with that fun music as an offering to our patron saint. Likewise, on Sunday morning, the dancers return to their thing, leaving the Cardo (although this time without the Xúchiles) until they reach the Garden.
Everything will conclude on Sunday afternoon with the divine procession of the image of Saint Michael the Archangel on a route through the streets of the city and temples such as the Nuns', the Oratory and San Francisco to finally conclude with the return to its parish.
