The San Pedro the House of Culture and the San Pedro Cultural Committee (SPCC) outdid themselves on the night of Thursday June 28th as they brought back a popular San Pedro tradition, “La Alborada”. According to Mito Paz, Chairman of SPCC, the celebration was a big success some 60 years ago when residents from neighboring Corozal, Xcalac and Belize City would make the long journey yearly to celebrate La Alborada in anticipation of the Dia de San Pedro – the Patron Saint for the Island.
The celebration commenced with a mass followed by a block party along Barrier Reef Drive in front of the Catholic Church. Chairs were set up for viewers to enjoy a night of cultural presentations leading up the midnight, when the Patron Saint was serenaded by the Mariachis and Natalie Arceo with las Mañanitas.
Hundreds of enthusiastic viewers came out to experience the many cultural presentations which include performances by: Barbara Dance Group and San Pedro Dance Academy. Cultural presentations included by Alma Beliceña (Marimba group from Soccotz Village) the hog head dance, the Maypole, el “baile de la botella” among other presentations. There was also a special performance by the Mestizo Dance group of San Pedro headed by Omar Arceo, who did a grown-up version of the Hog Head dance.
Organizers would like to give special thanks to National Institute for Culture and History, Belize Tourism Board, Museum of Belize, San Pedro Town Council and all the performers as well as the general public that came out to support this event, which is expected to be a yearly occurrence.
