Masks Festival, Hatillo /Efra
North December-2004, By:
Experience the North Shore
Vega Alta, Hatillo
In the North, just outside of San Juan, are the towns of Dorado (a golfer’s dream), Toa Alta (home of the musician Tomás “Masso” Rivera), Toa Baja (Balneario Punta Salinas), Vega Alta (Vega Alta Forest - see below), Vega Baja (Reserva Natural Laguna Tortuguero), Manatí (the Athens of Puerto Rico) and Barceloneta (with the Cambalache Forest mountain bike trails). Farther away, the northwestern towns of Camuy, Hatillo and Arecibo offer prime tourist attractions, such as the Parque de las Cavernas del Río Camuy, the largest radio telescope in the world in Arecibo and Hatillo (masks festival - see below).
Vega Alta
Founded in 1775, Vega Alta was originally part of “Las Vegas del Thoa.” Subsequently, this area was divided into two towns: Vega Alta and Vega Baja. Vega Alta has some of the most fertile and productive soil in all of Puerto Rico. Today, unlike the rest of Puerto Rico, the principal agricultural product is still sugarcane. Historical points of interest include the Plaza Gilberto Concepción de Gracia and the Iglesia Católica Inmaculada Concepción de María (on the Plaza).
For beach lovers, there is the Balneario de Cerro Gordo. This is one of the balnearios with campsites. For naturalists and hikers, the Vega Alta Forest offers plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs. In fact, the Vega Alta Forest is the first forest reserve you will encounter as you travel west from San Juan. There is also the Cuevas Golondrinas (call City Hall for more information or contact a nature/adventure tour operator).
Hatillo
Founded in 1823, Hatillo is a major agricultural area and produces one-third of the milk consumed in Puerto Rico. The town is best known for the annual “Festival de las Máscaras” and the Paso Fino horses. The mask festival has been held annually on December 28 since 1823. During the festival the biblical story of the search for the Baby Jesus is reenacted. Brightly dressed men in masks, representing King Herod’s soldiers, run through the streets in a vain attempt to find the Baby Jesus. At other times of the year, stop by one of the Paso Fino events to observe the beauty and grace of these horses.
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