by Fer + Pablo
There are times when it seems like time stands still, and having the opportunity to be a spectator of such an emblematic tradition, this could not be the exception.
The feast of Saint Anthony is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited of the year. The “fool’s party” takes place on the Sunday following June 13, which, curiously enough, has coincided with Father’s Day most years. The soul of this celebration lies in the enthusiasm of Father Toño, current parish priest of the parish of Saint Anthony of Padua.
Beginning a new day, with a 5 am sunrise as is tradition, in each home the families prepared to be part of such a great parade, or spectators of it. Later, a mass of great attendance to thank the favors granted took place, held in the atrium of the parish, which ended to give way to the madness.
For more than four hours, groups of crazy people walked around the city, offering sweets, colors and joy as they walked. Filled with amazement, very diverse and complex costumes were seen in their elaboration, made of creativity and paper mache!
A party that transcended through the passing of the years.
You're probably wondering why the costume and why the candy...
Like every year that began, the gardeners paid homage to Saint Anthony to give thanks for the good harvests, they performed the traditional dance of the little bull and in turn gave away fruit in gratitude for the good weather.
As San Miguel grew, they continued to go dance for San Antonio and to throw fruit. When people saw them, they began to tell them that they were crazy, and in their shame they covered themselves. Thus began the tradition of dancing in masks and straw hats.
The way San Miguel was located determined the current arrangement of the crazy paintings. The old painting corresponds to the entire San Antonio colony, the park painting to the Guadiana colony, the owl painting to the Azteca colony and the new painting to the Guadalupe colony.
And so, surrounded by the magic of fireworks, after a parade full of color and fun, we end the day in which tradition was reborn in local hearts.
