Dia di Rincon

At the end of Simadan (harvest) it is time for Dia di Rincon, a cultural event in the old city of Rincon.  It is a 30 year tradition that happens annually on April 30.  It hasn't happen in 2 years due to the pandemic so they pulled out all the crazy for this celebration.

Rincon is a town in the interior of the island.  Historically, it was a town where the slaves lived.  This weekend it was turned into a street celebration with parades, local music concerts, and local food booths. 

Everyone on the island was in Rincon on Saturday and it was a party. They closed off the center of town and partied all day and night. There were food booths that serve local food known as  "krioyo” and includes dishes such as fresh fish, funchi (think polenta fries), rice, and different types of stews. The stews are usually goat or iguana (neither are to our liking).  Everyone was grilling chicken, ribs, chorizo, and fish in their yards, drive ways and patios. Everyone was selling beers too.

The parade was a spectacular, colorful display of Caribbean costumes.  The women's costumes were complete with hats, fans, purses and matching shoes.  The men wore matching suits to the women's outfits which included pink, turquois, orange and brown. They danced through the streets in huge groups to music blaring from the local bands playing island music from flatbed trucks carrying big sound systems. Everyone carried drinks, danced, sang and put on a fabulous show. 

 

Three stages were set up around the town where local bands played concerts.  It was music we have never heard but all the locals were singing along so we figured they played popular tunes.  There are several radio stations on the island that play local music.  We should probably listen to them once in a while to get our steel band/Caribbean vibe fix.

More fun pictures of the parade...