Some sectors of the population have expressed concern that tradition will lose its essence, based on faith, and San Miguel de Allende will become a “cantina.”
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato The traditional Convite de Locos in San Miguel de Allende is being converted into another tourist product. Travel agencies promote the event and offer packages to visit the city only for next June 16.
The event is held to pay tribute to Saint Anthony of Padua. This event has been taking place for more than 50 years. It arose when the different paintings went to the temple of San Antonio to attract people to the celebration. Over the years the route changed because participation increased and now the celebration leaves said temple. towards the city center.
The Convite de Locos is a family event that has achieved national recognition due to its originality and color; however, in recent years it has been promoted as a tourist product, attracting a large number of visitors.
Currently, agencies from San Luis Potosí, Toluca, Mexico City and even neighboring municipalities of the state offer their clients express trips to visit San Miguel de Allende on the Sunday of the Convite de Locos.
Publications on social networks or web pages promote the event with erroneous data stating that “the parade is held in honor of San Juan Bailón” and inviting people to visit the city’s Cathedral.
The Convite de Locos is a tradition in San Miguel de Allende. Photo: Correo Newspaper
Costs vary depending on the city of origin; It costs 350 pesos leaving municipalities such as Salamanca, Villagrán and Cortázar; 500 pesos from San Luis Potosí and between 700 and 900 pesos per person from Mexico City or Toluca. All offer only the round trip, arriving in San Miguel de Allende around 9 in the morning, leaving and returning at 11 at night.
There are also more complete packages that include a visit to the Toy Museum and the Churrería San Agustín, some even offer the option of “witnessing or participating” in the treat, however, none include lodging or the plan to spend more than 14 hours in the city.
However, some sectors of the population have expressed their concern that this important tradition is losing its essence, based on faith and healthy family coexistence, to become another attraction that visitors take advantage of to turn the city into a a canteen”.
“That worries us because they do business and unfortunately there are people who begin to take it as if it were a party to drink, like the Sanmiguelada was years ago,” says Patricio Espinoza, who participates year after year in the Cuadro Nuevo de Los Locos.
Source: periodicocorreo
