Santa Cruz del Valle del Maíz Festival Returns!

Published May 20, 2022

By Francisco Peyret

Photo by Eugenio Ruiz

Honoring Don Leopoldo Estrada

Valle del Maíz is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Miguel, an indigenous Chichimeca community, full of flavor and traditions, among which the Festival in honor of “La Santa Cruz de los espejos” stands out. Every May, the community organizes 13 days of celebration with diverse activities.

As Luis Felipe Rodríguez, the town chronicler or historian, points out, “All the works and activities are carried out with the consent and collaboration of all the neighbors. In this, they have always shown great unity, particularly in defense of their customs and traditions. Although several of the current neighbors do not belong to the original families and even some of them are foreigners, they have had to adapt, as it should be, to the customs of this iconic place where traditions are deeply rooted.” Among the activities of the festivity are the following: La velación del xúchil, combat of Indians against soldiers, the traditional yuntas, the main vigil of the Santa Cruz, alboradas, musical presentations, folkloric dances, mojiganga’s dance, foot races, cuadro de locos, parades, the long-awaited presentation of the Lions of the Sierra de Xichú and the end of the festivity is the colloquium, “The hidden treasure,” and finally, fireworks.

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