Contributed by: Jo Anne González
Translated by: Evan Bailyn

The patron saint festivals are festivals in homor of the patron saint of each municipality. Each of the 78 municipalities celebrate for ten days. These festivals, of Christian origin, are meant for prayer and devotion of each town to a specific saint or virgin.

The festivals generally start with a religeous celebration in the town's principal church. After the religeous ceremony ends, the town festival begins. In these festivals, there is large amounts of typical food, drink, music, betting games, exhibitions and sales of handicrafts typical of the town or that region. These are all available at kiosks that are specially decorated in a style related to what the kiosk is presenting.

Generally, during these days, the town elects a King and Queen, who are crowned in a public ceremony. That day, civic, social and religeous groups present specially prepared parade floats that reflect the a common theme for the festival.

There is also a day to celebrate the return of natives of the town. This is the festival of the "absentees" and a great opportunity to maintain contact with similar citizens that no longer reside in that town.

During the week days, the festival starts in the early afternoons. But on the days during the weekend, the festival is celebrated during the day and through to the night. Many times, towns that share the same patron saint, celebrate their festivals on the same day. The date of festival celebrations correspond to the saint's birthday on the calendar of the Roman Catholic church.

In Puerto Rico, 85% of the population is a member of the Roman Catholic church, but the festivals are enjoyed by all, including those with other religeous beliefs.