For more than six hours, 67 groups of traditional treats, bottargas and clothing will tour Guatemala City to bring joy to Guatemalans in the Parade of the Meeting of Convites 2025, as part of the 28th Festival of the Historic Center.
More than three thousand participants will show the cultural wealth of 14 departments of the country on the tour that will begin at 18th Street and 6th Avenue, Zone 1, and will continue along the entire Paseo de la Sexta until reaching the Plaza de la Constitución. This will cause various closures and detours in vehicular traffic in the area.
According to Amílcar Montejo, mayor of the Municipal Transit Police (PMT), alternative routes must be used to travel through the city. Parking areas will be maintained on the streets surrounding the event, only in spaces where there is no prohibition.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. and will last until 3:30 p.m. It is expected to end in front of the Plaza de la Constitución with the presentation of the last group of invitations, on October 12.
For its part, the Ministry of Culture highlighted that on this day each group will contribute its unique style through dance, colors and costumes. Likewise, this event will pay tribute to the cultural richness of Guatemala through rhythm.
The groups from Petén, Alta Verapaz, Quetzaltenango and 11 other departments will provide various fun moments to the spectators.
Alternate routes
The event will range from 21st Street, zone 1, where the formation of the fierce ones will take place, and could cause vehicular traffic in areas near the Municipality of Guatemala, mainly in the morning hours, since the groups will use the premises of the Miguel Ángel Asturias Cultural Center to dress up, and then they will move to 21st Street and 6th Avenue, where they will form to start the parade.
According to the map provided by Montejo, there will be closures and diversions on 20th Street, between 6th Avenue and 6th Avenue A, as well as on 18th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues.
Closures will also be reported on 17th, 15th, 13th, 11th and 9th streets, between 5th and 6th avenues, as well as on 16th, 14th, 12th and 10th streets, between 6th and 7th avenues.
6th Avenue and 5th Street will remain closed during the event, so it is advisable to look for alternative routes to travel through zone 1.
Among the recommended alternative routes, Montejo detailed the following:
- La Asuncion Boulevard
- 11 avenue, zone 1
- Elena Avenue
- Marti Street
- 24 street from the Olympic bridge to Calle de Piedra
Likewise, agents from the Municipal Traffic Police will be deployed, who will regulate vehicular traffic.
Festival of the Historic Center, and will take the dance festivities to the Historic Center of Guatemala City. (Free Press Photo: Courtesy Amílcar Montejo)