Every year Dia de San Pedro celebrations (San Pedro Day) pays homage to the island’s patron saint San Pedro (St. Peter) and under the organization of the San Pedro Town Council, the San Pedro Culture Committee and the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church residents celebrate with activities centered around honoring fishermen and the development of the town that grew on the foundation of a small fishing village.
June 29 marks Dia de San Pedro but islanders participated in activities prior to the date that included mass celebrations and novenas at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church, cultural dance presentations at the Hon. Louis Sylvestre Sports Complex, Karaoke competitions, family time on the mechanical games at the fair grounds and a big fishing tournament/triathlon/ceviche cooking competition at the end of the weekend.
Dance, cultural and entertainment were crammed into Saturday, June 27 due to the postponement of Friday’s program due to rain. The fair grounds teemed with activity as island residents enjoyed the celebrations. The Alborada celebrations were held at Friendship Park that included the cultural aspects and entertainment by mariachi singers and folkloric dance presentations.
Sunday was highlighted with a big beach party held at the Boca del Rio Park where the first ever Ceviche Cooking Competition that was sponsored by Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. (Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation), Jennie Staines and Elvi’s Kitchen. Five cooks displayed their skills in preparing the island’s favorite appetizer – the delicious ceviche.
* 1st Place: Victor Nal – Mac Laptop + $500
* 2nd Place: Criston Hazel – $1,000
* 3rd Place: Angel Cocom – $500
All proceeds of Ceviche Competition went towards Belize Center for the Visually Impaired (BCVI)
Judge Milagro Garel, 1st Place Winner Victor Nal, 2nd Place Criston Hazel, Organizer Jennie Staines and 3rd Place Angel Cocom
Sports enthusiasts also partook in a triathlon in which women signed up for the first time.
Under 13 Group: 1st Place: Tiownie Paguada, 2nd Place: McLeish Lambey, 3rd Place: Alexander Fitzigeral / Uner 15 Grou: 1st Place: Kylin Belise, 2nd Place: Dixon Paguada, 3rd Place: Melvin Trojio
Open Male: 1st Place: Andrew Vasguez, 2nd Place: Brian Guardado, 3rd Place: Jose Rivera / Open female 1st Place: Karin Requena, 2nd Place: Emily Volkmam, 3rd Amy Requena, 4th Riley Gage.
Masters: Juniors 1st Eric Donis, 2nd Brandon Santos, 3rd Jordan Santos (pictured below)
Sponsors: Counselor Tito Alamilla, Gaby’s Construction, Captain Morgan, San Pedro Town Council, Traffic Dept, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr.
The big draw of the Sunday event was the Fishing Rodeo tournament that saw fishermen heading out to sea at the break of dawn and hauling in as many fish possible by 5p.m. This year’s Captain Roberto Guerrero Sr. and his crew of the Sly Dog took the top honors at the fishing tournament with 179.9 pounds of fish. Cash Prizes were given for Largest Tuna, Snapper, Dorado, Barracuda, Grouper and Youngest Angler
* 1st Place – Captain Robby (Sly Dog) 179.9lbs – Won New Motorcycle
* 2nd Place – Captain Gilberto Lara 170.75lbs
* 3rd Place – Captain Alberto Bradley 164lbs
Celebration at Festival Grounds
Sunday Beach Party – Hon. Manuel Heredia Ceviche Competition
Fishing Rodeo
Fishermen’s Mass/Breakfast and Boat Procession on St. Peter’s Day (Dia de San Pedro)
