El Cedral, a village in Cozumel, has celebrated the 176th anniversary of its traditional festival, making it the oldest celebration in the region. The festival, which honors the 21 founding families who sought refuge during the Caste War of 1848, concludes today, on the Day of the Holy Cross.

The festival began on April 28 with the opening of the traditional Fair in honor of the Holy Cross of Sabán. It reaches its peak on May 3 with the Dance of the Pig’s Head. This event is attended by local and state officials, including Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, and takes place at the village's main palapa.

Governor Mara Lezama expressed her delight in participating in the festival's signature cattle show, the Dance of the Pig's Head. She highlighted the importance of the event in maintaining the cultural roots and identity of Cozumel, and strengthening connections with families and individuals from Quintana Roo.

The El Cedral festival plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the island's traditions and customs. It also aims to diversify the tourism offerings and attract more visitors to Quintana Roo in this new era of tourism. The festival in honor of the Holy Cross of Sabán is currently recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the State of Quintana Roo.

Governor Mara Lezama was joined by the general director of the Institute of Culture and the Arts (ICA), Lilian Villanueva Chan, Cozumel's mayor, Juanita Alonso Marrufo, and the president of the ejidal commissioner, Óscar Amílcar Pinto Silva. Also in attendance were the queen of El Cedral, Jeovana Guadalupe Basto Cauich, the major baton twirler, Eligio Cárdenas Montero, and the godmothers and ambassadors of the festivities.