Carnaval Ponceño

The town of Ponce has been celebrating its annual carnival for 165 years, making it one of the longest-celebrated carnivals in the Caribbean. The festivities are brought to life by vejigantes (a local folk character that wears a colorful paper-mâché mask and a bright jumpsuit). The vibrant carnival parade includes King Momo's appearance and the Carnival Queen's coronation, a masquerade ball, and the Burial of the Sardine, a simulated funeral marking the beginning of Lent.