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It's almost time for the excitement of rodeos, music, feasts and more mayhem, as Cozumel prepares again for the annual El Cedral Festival. This year's historical celebration will start in just a couple of weeks, running from Thursday, April 28 to Monday, May 3, 2011. |
With the official title of the Festival of El Cedral and the Fiestas of Santa Cruz, the celebrations take place each year in the south of Cozumel, at the small town of El Cedral.
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This traditional event is over 150 years old and is thought to have been first established by Casimiro Cárdenas. One of a band that fled to the island during the War of the Castes, Cárdenas had seen many of his companions killed in a vicious attack on his village of Saban on the mainland. |
 Colorful traditional displays. |
Running from the slaughter, Cárdenas is said to have escaped to Cozumel whilst clutching a small wooden cross.
 Small town of El Cedral. |
Legend has it that Cárdenas vowed to honor the crucifix's religious strength by founding an annual festival wherever he settled. From this came part of the official name of today's celebrations - the Fiestas of Santa Cruz - or Festival of the Holy Cross. |
One unconfirmed account even suggests that the inaugural festival was also the first time Catholic mass was held on the island.
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Nowadays, rowdy revellers enjoy traditional Yucatecan and Mexican feasts and parties, as well as music, dancing, competitions, rodeos, bullfights and plenty of ice cold Mexican beer. And, if you find yourself in Cozumel at the end of this month, you too can be part of the excitement. |
 Bullfights, rodeos and beer. |
Just make your way down to El Cedral, many events are free and both locals and visitors are welcome to join in the fun!
The full program will be officially announced soon and published in our Cozumel Event Calendar.
You can also see the town of El Cedral at any time on the following excursions:
