December in The History of Puerto Vallarta

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The twelfth month of the year in local history was when a “name” was first given to the Paradise of the Pacific. Years later, the customs and devotion of a town resound to the skies with the Guadalupan Pilgrimages.

Among relevant activities, December 12, 1851, stands out as a date when the Las Peñas Ranch, this port’s first name, was founded. On December 5, 1929, the Ejido of Puerto Vallarta was born; on December 3, 1931, the first aircraft arrived at this tourist destination; in December 1965, the concrete crown was placed on top of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, an undisputed icon of this place. On December 4, the second City Chronicler and regional historian, Don Carlos Munguia Fregoso, passed away. Among later activities are the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the most vivid and heartfelt local tradition; whale watching in the Bay; the International Puerto Vallarta Fireworks Festival 2014; New Year celebrations; etc.

December indelibly paints its mark on the historical development of our tourist destination. Following is a list of the most significant events recorded by the second official City Chronicler, Don Carlos Munguia Fregoso, in his worthwhile book "Historical Panorama of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay".

December 12, 1851, is officially recognized as the date of the founding of the Las Peñas Ranch, Puerto Vallarta’s first name, by Don Guadalupe Sánchez, his family and a group of friends. On December 16, 1869, the representatives of Jalisco requested the Government of the Republic prepare the port of Las Peñas for offshore and inshore trade. On December 31, 1893, jurist Ignacio Luis Vallarta died in the capital of the Republic, his name given in memory to our town in 1918. On December 31, 1902, the Federal Government inaugurated the Cabo Corrientes lighthouse, for many years the most powerful one along the Mexican coast, which came to facilitate navigation in this region of the Mexican Pacific. On December 5, 1929, the first allocation of land was given to the Ejido de Puerto Vallarta, due to involvement by the La Union Cuale mining company. On December 3, 1931, the first aircraft arrived into this port, piloted by Charles Baugham, who was nicknamed "Pancho Pistolas" due to his penchant for being armed. On December 12, 1951, the first centennial of the Las Peñas Foundation was held with great festivities. In December 1965, the concrete crown, designed by sculptor Esteban Ramirez Guareño, was placed on the tower of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

It is right to remember that on December 4, 2005, Professor Carlos Munguia Fregoso passed away, to whose memory the Fourth Regional Meeting of Writers will be dedicated. Professor Munguia Fregoso is a man of renown in Puerto Vallarta, author of important volumes that make up the backbone of regional history.

Among Puerto Vallarta’s relevant activities in December, the celebrations to Our Lady of Guadalupe really stand out. These begin on the 1st and culminate on the 12th. It's the liveliest and heartfelt by the people of Vallartan tradition and consists of the manifestation of faith to the "Patroness of the Americas" through processions, called pilgrimages, with offerings, songs and dances. For twelve days the different sectors of the local community and surrounding towns will express their devotion to the "Dark Virgen". The “Pilgrimage of the Favored” stands out on the last day of the "Docenario to the Virgin", much more attended than the other processions. It’s worth mentioning that among the people of Vallarta, devotion to the "Guadalupan" has roots that go back to the time of the founding of Las Peñas, in the mid-nineteenth century.

Another event, not less important during the month of December, is the start of the annual visit that the humpback whales make to beautiful Banderas Bay, to give birth to their young in calm, warm waters. The stay of the cetaceans lasts until late March, when their calves have achieved the degree of strength and development to enable them to make it to the waters of the North Pacific. The permanence of the whales in the bay is quite a sight, as visitors and locals enjoy wonderful sightings through tours they can capitalize on with their cameras.

The twelfth month also means year-end festivities that municipal authorities and tourism companies hold to usher in the New Year. These consist of various artistic and cultural events and traditional fireworks, which at Vallarta’s malecon take on a special dimension.

They will have great significance this year through the realization of the International Fireworks Festival, promoted by the Municipal Government through the Vallarta Institute of Culture, from December 20-31, 2014. France's participation is expected; as well as five states of the Mexican Republic. The Festival will be enriched with dancing events, music and painting.

In December continuity is also given to the traditional visual arts event called the Art Walk. It is the artistic tradition which is now several years old, where some art galleries in Puerto Vallarta open their doors to local and visiting art lovers, with exhibitions by national and international artists, cocktails and aperitif tastings every Wednesday, starting in October and culminating in May.

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