FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS

Various towns of Costalegre carry out interesting religious festivities. In Barra de Navidad, from July 5 ? 13, the town hosts a celebration in honor of its patron saint San Antonio de Padua. On Aug. 30 and Sept. 1, you can witness the celebrations of Cristo de los Brazos Caidos and Cristo del Ciclon. During both events you?ll see processions, rosaries and fairs with fireworks shows, among other activities. In San Patricio-Melaque, from March 9 ? 17, various festivities take place to pay tribute to patron saint San Patricio, including processions, religious rituals, fireworks displays and a food fair. The town also offers a running of the bulls, late-night rodeos and dance performances from March 10 ? 20. Other important regional festivities include a sugar cane fair and a weeklong cultural event in Cihuatlan in April; a taurine fair on Nov. 22 and Dec. 21 in La Huerta; and the San Miguel Arcangel Festivities in La Manzanilla on Sept. 29.