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First Centenal Celebration, 1951 |
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 In 1949, Señora Margarita Mantecón de Garza, wife of Colonel Cipriano Garza, was invited to participate in the committee for the first Centennial celebration of the founding of Puerto Vallarta, former name Las Peñas. Colonel Garza was a close friend of President of México, Anttorney Señor don Miguel Alemán Valdez. Señora Mantecon de Garza was named chair of the committee. My husband, Señor Roberto Contreras Quintero, who was Mayor of Vallarta, was named of the committee. During a two-year period, the committee worked hard planning the program. A lot of meetings, disagreements and differences of opinion took place during a two-year period previous to the engagement. The celebration was worth all efforts. Señora Mantecon Garza attained government funding form the President to celebrate such an important event. A fleet of ships sent by the Marie Secretariat, and the Marina corps band composed of 80 musicians were sent to participate on the celebration. The president of Mexico passed a celebration bill through the representation of Marine Minister, Engineer Señor, Alberto Pawling.
The Centennial celebration went was scheduled of December 12, 1951
The airport was full of people. Some were part of the welcome committee; others just came to catch a glance of the important passengers. There were music bands and fireworks. The passengers were showered with flowers. It was a great time. The whole city was overwhelmed with the important event.
The keys of the city were given to Marine Minister Señor Son Alberto Pawling, representative of Honorable President Mexican Republic, Attorney, Don Miguel Aleman Valdez during a solemn ceremony at the City Hall. There was a formal banquet for Pawling at Los Muertos beach. The Chef was local Gustavo Fong. There was also an elegant dinner and dance at Paraiso Hotel.
There were many festivities organized at the Malecon. Local girls paraded, dresses in regional Mexican suits.
 The festivities continued throughout at week. A big Mexican party took place at the Malecon on the second day of the celebrations, which was December 11. Señorita Teresa Barba Organized the party along with the faculty from 15 de Mayo School for Girls. Rows of string made of festive tissue paper cuts in bright colors and balloons decorated the strip of the Malecon. There were arches made of ramadas everywhere. There were also improvised raised seats overlooking the ocean – all of these in preparation for the night show. The highlight of the evening would be a show of light at night. A fleet of small boats was set up. In different areas of the bay surrounding Vallarta. The show was spectacular! Each ship was timed to start its lights in sequence. When the first ship lit up, we saw beautiful barefooted-local girls standing up on deck of each boat. The girls were wearing flowing gowns and their black long hair blew softly with the ocean breeze. The boats brought the girls ashore where they lined up to start dancing the classical Dance of the Hours. Others shows included young couples dancing Mexican hot dances and the original Jarabe Tapatio, the classical country-dance from the State of Jalisco.
On December 12 we were suddenly awakened by 21 – salute cannon shots from the warship Potosi entering the bay. It was a touching moment! The flags of Mexico were raised high on the ship. The bells in church tolled to welcome the fleet, and a fireworks display started at the same time that the mariachi band played joyously. We all gathered at the Malecon to watch the marine soldiers disembark by the Malecon dressed in their handsome uniforms. Immediately after disembarking, the soldiers lined up to respectfully salute the Marine Minister.
A parade took place at eleven o’ clock with participation of the Marine Corps.
 The Marine Minister, the representative of the State Governor, and the mayor of Vallarta along with other local personalities, watched the parade from a balcony at Las Fabricas de Francia store, property of the Peña Davalos family.
December 12 was also the holiday to celebrate our Holy Lady of Guadalupe. The Marine Corps participated in the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Guadalupe along with the charros and the local girls dressed in ethnic attire.
The Marine soldiers knelt down before the image of the dark Virgin and vowed to visit Her each year. For 10 consecutive years the fleet of ships returned every 12th of December to visit our Madonna. During 10 consecutive years we were awakened by the loud noise of 21-salute cannon shots.
On the morning of December 13, we gathered at the City Hall to honor the Garza-Mantecons with an award for their hard work and to give them the title of “Preferred Children of Vallarta”
The same evening, an organized dance event took place in the patio of Cinema Morelos. We were honored by the presence of famous music composer Tata Nacho. All the local mariachi bands were invited to play at the dance. There was also a contest for best folkloric dress.
The Centennial celebration lasted for four days and marked a milestone for Vallarta.
Catalina Montes de Oca Aguilar
Autobiografia de Doña Catalina Montes de Oca Aguilar
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Note: The segments from the book "Puerto Vallarta en mis Recuerdos" -both versions- are published in PVMirror.com with the express authorization of Sra. Yolanda Contreras de Garduño, co-author of the work and owner of the copyrights thereto. Any reproduction thereof, partial or total, in any medium is prohibited.
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