La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Mexico - "The Festival of the Patron Saint of La Cruz" commences on Thursday, April 25th with a 1st Annual "Opening Celebration Parade" at 6 pm. This is the kickoff for a 9 day celebration in which the whole town participates.

Each morning there is a procession to the church while the bells toll. In the evenings the streets are filled with stands that offer food, traditional games are played in the plaza, and the sky is painted with fireworks.

The most anticipated event of the festival is a large religious celebration called La Santa Cruz which takes place on May 3rd.

The town has embraced this celebration and made it its own, and as one popular saying states: "the name bears the penance." They have named their town La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. The name of this town, however, is not based on this religious celebration; the origin of the name remains unknown to this day.

There are several possibilities. Maybe the abundance of this tree in the region is responsible for its name. Or possibly the legend that tells of a peasant, who while traveling in the area of the Bahia de Banderas valley towards Punta de Mita, found this beautiful location and rested under the shade of a huanacaxtle tree.

According to the legend, the peasant liked the place so much that he decided to mark a cross in the tree before leaving. He left this mark with the conviction that some day he would come back and identify the tree which gave him a break from the sun, and build his home there; thus creating the name La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (The Cross of Huanacaxtle.)

The truth is that no one can verify this story. But, at the entrance of town there is a huge cross made from wood and adorned with pink, purple, and blue decorations during the time of the festivity. These three colors embellish the town for the event.

The most impressive feature of the event however, is the parade of the local fishermen's boats on the last day of the celebration. These boats set sail early in the morning, decorated with the celebration's signature three colors and displaying the Santa Cruz (Holy Cross.) Later in the day they go back to church to attend mass.

The nine day event will take place at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle starting on April 25th and goes on until the main celebration on May 3rd.

Schedule of Events

• April 25th - Opening Of The Fiestas Patronales - The Festival begins with a float parade through town beginning at 6 pm, the presentation of the contestants for May Festivals Homecoming Queen, and live music in the Plaza. Extensive food and drink will be available this and every night.

• April 26th - Rock Night - In the Main Plaza starting at 9 pm. Bands to be announced.

• April 27th - May Festival Homecoming Queen Contest - Free dancing in the Plaza with La Imponente Band starting at 8 pm.

• April 28th - Fiesta Folklorica - Featuring the Tintoc Municipal Ballet Company and the Hawaiian Municipal Dance Company and selected singers. Games and contests for the evening will begin at 8 pm.

• April 29th - Reggaeton Night - Featuring Yair, Aram and others to be announced.

• April 30th - Children's Day - Featuring games, contests, and prizes for kids. Also the Children’s Hawaiian Dance Group of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle will perform under the direction of Maestro Luis of the Escuela Primaria Emiliano Zapata.

• May 1st - A Musical Evening - Featuring Mary La Nayarita and singers from La Cruz and Nayarit starting at 9 pm.

• May 2nd - Free Night of Music and Dance in the Plaza - Featuring the Municipal Symphony Orchestra starting at 9 pm.

• May 3rd - Religious Festival – Live Music and free snacks in the Plaza to celebrate the end of the May Festival, Charro Horse dance, Maceualoyan Ballet Folklorico Group of La Cruz and the Taiyari Ballet Folklorico Group of Mezcales. Fireworks and fair.

Program subject to change.