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Horse in bonnet, Easter Parade
Parada de los Caballos y Coches, St. Augustine

Easter Sunday and Parada de los Caballos y Coches

Two weeks of pageantry and celebrations of the Easter season culminate on Easter Sunday in St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city. The Easter season begins with the Annual Blessing of the Fleet. The Bishop of the St. Augustine Diocese leads the parade of worshippers from the Basilica along Cathedral Place, past the Plaza de la Constitucion to the City Marina where the traditional ceremony is performed. An armada of boats, ranging from small row boats to working shrimp boats, passes by the dock where they are blessed by the Bishop in this long-standing event. Following the Blessing of the Fleet, a giant Oyster Roast is open to the public at the Elks Lodge.

On Easter Sunday, one of the most unique parades in the country has long been a favorite of locals and visitors. Upwards of 50,000 people crowd into the historic city to view the annual Parada de los Caballos y Coches, featuring bands, floats, the appearance of the City's Royal Family, and decorated horse-drawn carriages pulled by horses wearing hats donated by celebrities.

Project documentation comprises text on Easter traditions in St. Augustine, the St. Augstine Minorcan Heritage, a brochure on the Florida Folklife Program, and four color slides.

Originally submitted by: Bob Graham, Senator.



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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.

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