Bella Vista hosts second annual Posadas


November 25, 2009
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CAVE CREEK – Bella Vista Private School will be hosting their second annual Posadas this year on Friday, Dec. 4. The procession will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the stage area in the Sundial Plaza located at 100 Easy Street in the town of Carefree. It will proceed through some of the businesses before ending back at the stage area where the final posada will be held.

The celebration begins with folklorico dancing performed by the Bella Vista students. There will also be Mexican music for everyone’s enjoyment. “Mexican Gift Baskets” will be raffled and food booths will offer authentic Mexican food; rice, beans, tamales, posole, pan dulce, bunuelos, hot chocolate, coffee, water and soda.

Bella Vista wants to introduce the Mexican traditions of Las Posadas to the towns of Cave Creek and Carefree. Join them for this special celebration.

For more information call 480-575-6001 or visit www.bellavistaschool.com. Bella Vista School is located at 6914 E. Bella Vista Dr. in Cave Creek.

About Los Posadas

Las Posadas (Spanish for “The Inns”) are a celebration of nine consecutive days of candlelight processions and lively parties beginning Dec. 16 and ending Dec. 24. These Posadas are a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s cold and difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter where Jesus could be born.

The procession is headed by children carrying a diminutive Joseph and Mary. They are dressed as angels, the Santos Reyes (Three Kings), and a host of pastores y pastoras (shepherds and shepherdesses), all usually dressed in silver and gold robes, carrying brightly decorated baculos (walking staffs) or faroles. They are then followed by the adults and musicians.

The children and adults are the Peregrinos (pilgrims) who have to request lodging by singing a traditional song about the pilgrims. The Peregrinos will symbolically ask for lodging at three different houses but only the third one will allow them in. The final house that lets the pilgrims in is supposed to have the Posada for that evening. Once the innkeepers let them in, a celebration for the children begins.