This carnival celebration dates back to the 19th century where masks balls were often held. A street parade was later added to the festivities in the 1950s. The vejigantes are tradition of Ponce Carnaval. These are the wildly colorful and somewhat creepy paper mache puppet like figures parading on the streets. They are never made without their horns and giant white piercing teeth. The vejigantes are characters representing good and malevolent spirits, beware they tend to swat at passerby claiming to ward off evil spirits. At one point in its history calypso found its way into Ponce Carnaval, however you’ll be hard pressed not to hear traditional bomba and plena music. The Burial of the Sardine is an interesting event that occurs at the closing of the parade. A mock funeral is held with a dummy in the coffin, both are set on fire in honor of Lent’s approach and the burning of sins.
