Source: americanhistory.si.edu
People in Ponce, Puerto Rico, have been celebrating Carnival for over 250 years! Each year the Carnival lasts the whole month of February with parades, music, and special events. The Carnival is a special celebration before the Christian season of Lent, the six weeks before Easter. During the Carnival, people make elaborate masks, dress up in costumes, dance, and play music.
The National Museum of American History is fortunate to have many Carnival-related artifacts generously donated by collector Teodoro Vidal.
Children’s book author and illustrator Lulu Delacre tells the story of the Ponce Carnival in her book Vejigante Masquerader. The main character, Ramón, longs to masquerade as a vejigante with his older brothers. The bilingual tale presents the reader with a rich history of the Carnival tradition of Puerto Rico.
Take a few moments to explore the Try It! activities on this page to learn more about the carnival traditions of Puerto Rico. You can explore the history of the Ponce Carnival, participate in hands-on activities such as creating a Carnival mask at home, and learn how to become a collector!
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Make Your Own Carnival MaskPlay and Create
Here are simple directions you can use to make your own traditional Ponce Carnival mask.
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Dress For the Ponce CarnivalPlay and Create
Learn the tradition of the vejigante costumes, and color in your own vejigante masquerader with traditional Ponce Carnival colors.
Puerto Rican Heritage Society 