2023 Puerto Plata Carnival parade
The 2023 Puerto Plata Carnival parade will be held on February 19th and 26th, both Sundays in La Puntilla. Earlier on February 5th and 12th the comparsas showed up in several neighborhoods of Puerto Plata, so watch out for the colorful costumes walking in town. The big parade is on March 11th in el Malecon.
UPDATED: March 11th, final parade pictures
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UPDATED: February 19th Carnival Pictures
Details about this activity were offered by the president of the Puerto Plata Carnival Union (UCAPPLATA), Yanco Souffront, during a meeting with the media held in the Rafael Solano room of the Casa de Cultura.
Souffront clarified that this year’s assembly has been difficult due to the effects of the pandemic and they will have to start from less than one, since many previous sponsors will not be there due to economic wear and tear after the hangover from the December festivities.
He maintained that, as always, security at the Puerto Plata Carnival is guaranteed so that both tourists, as well as the entire Puerto Plata family, can enjoy without fear the great color and creativity of this cultural festival that evokes our ancestral roots.
He said that as a novelty this year, the carnival tours will be carried out through all the Puerto Plata neighborhoods, starting on the first two Sundays of February (5 and 12) in the lower part and in the southern part of the city, and then concluding in La Puntilla.
“We are going to take advantage of all the scenarios that we have in Puerto Plata, since Carnival Sundays will take place around the entire perimeter of La Puntilla and the Amphitheater starting at 4:00 in the afternoon and traffic in the lower part will not be affected. high on the boardwalk,” he stressed.
The president of UCAPPLATA added that the great final parade of the Puerto Plata Carnival 2023 will be on Saturday, March 11th, 2023 with the participation of dozens of delegations from all over the country, as well as the possibility of presenting the National Competition of Comparsas “Kanibarú” which is a altruistic, artistic and cultural platform.
Coronation of King Momo and the Carnival Queen
During the aforementioned meeting, the coronation of Miss Gabriela Esmeralda Villanueva Morales as the queen of the Puerto Plata Carnival 2023 was held.
In addition, the prominent Puerto Plata carnival fan Rafael Rodríguez (Olivo) was crowned King Momo due to his decades-long career, obtaining more than 27 national awards in different categories.
The origins of the Puerto Plata carnival go back to the end of the 19th century. However, it wasn’t until the end of the 20th century that the Carnival became widespread and popular in the city, especially with the arrival of Cuban immigrants who promoted this festival, which has deep roots in their country of origin.
The Puerto Plata Carnival has had a boom in recent decades, promoted by Dominicans who want to highlight their cultural identity and folkloric roots. As part of this boom, the taimáscaros, emerged in 1991. This diablo cojuelo (limping devil) is native to the Puerto Plata carnival.
HOW TO GET THERE: drive along El Malecon towards La Puntilla in Puerto Plata, across the Taino Bay Port.
Organizer: UCAPPLATA
https://www.facebook.com/ucapplata
