Image courtesy of the Museum of Ventura County
SANTA PAULA — The Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum will present Las Posadas procession starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 in Santa Paula. The celebration is in partnership with De Colores Multicultural Folk Arts.
Las Posadas, (The Inns in Spanish) is a Latinx traditional holiday that commemorates the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of lodging and a safe refuge for Mary to give birth to Jesus. After nine days of searching for lodging (Las Posadas are celebrated December 16th through 24th, representing the nine (9) days), an Innkeeper gave Mary and Joseph shelter in a stable as there was no room at the inns.
A traditional procession always is refused lodging continuing to other waypoints. This year we will begin with a candlelight procession in memory of those we have lost during the pandemic and have experienced undue hardships.
The gathering will start at 6:00 p.m., at the Universalist Utilitarian Church in the heart of historic downtown Santa Paula with Rev. Maddie Sifantus, who will begin with a convocation. The procession will be led by Javier Gómez and Lorenzo Lencho Moraza with traditional Las Posadas music provided by Inlakech Cultural Arts Center and De Colores Music youth groups. Mayor Rev. Jenny Crosswhite of First Christian Church, Elvia Hernandez of Esperanza/Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, and Pastor Lupita Alonso of El Buen Pastor Church will participate.
Sheet music will be provided in Spanish, courtesy of Javier Gómez, and participants are encouraged to sing along. The walk will end at the Agriculture Museum (approximately 6:50 p.m.) for more singing and music, luminary treat bags for the youth, and a life-size nativity scene. See procession route for more details. This event takes place outdoors at night, so flashlights, warm clothing, and comfortable footwear are highly recommended.
Procession Route: Begin at 6:00 p.m.
Universality Unitarian Church at 740 E. Main St., Santa Paula heading eastbound take a left on N. Mills St. Cross over So. Santa Barbara St. and the railroad tracks to the city park area in front of the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum at 926 Railroad Ave. Route distance covers half a mile. Waypoints TBA