Fiesta de las Frutas y Flores

In Which, It Is Carnaval

So in the first week of February, we had the Fiesta de la Frutas y Flores here in Ambato, FFF for short. It's one of the most well-known Carnaval celebrations in all of Ecuador, as well as one of the most important. People come from all over to see it.

Quick history lesson, the FFF is actually connected to the historic earthquake that Ambato suffered through in 1949. After being almost completely levelled, the city came roaring back two years later, and in honor of the tenacity of the Ambateños the city celebrates the FFF.

It really is a sight to see. All of the main floats are created and decorated with fruits, flowers and bread products. The intricacy is incredible and the imagination is stunning.

Each float had a Reina, or Queen, of some particular group, neighborhood or business (they love their Reinas here). It was all led by the new Reina de Ambato, Iveth Castro. She was elected Queen the week prior in a special pageant that John and I actually attended.

Scheduled to start at 9am on Sunday, by the time the floats got to us, it was around 10:30. But everything went smoothly and quickly and we were heading out around noon.

It was overall a little cloudy, but as we experienced with the Desfile del Niños (Children's Parade) that was actually better. Direct Sierran sun is no joke, and you don't want to be sitting in it uncovered for more than a few minutes.

This is just a small taste of the full FFF experience. Official events started with the Eleccion of the Reina, and they went through until the Tuesday after the parade. Most people had the Monday and Tuesday after the parade off of work, so the whole city was celebrating and partying.

Before the parade, on the main street - Cevallos

Watching with David and Carmen!

Reina de Ambato, Iveth Castro

Each float had a dance troupe or musicians behind them

This was one of my favorites  :)

After the main floats, there were several regional and ethnic groups represented. They were dressed traditionally, doing traditional dances or performances. It was really awesome to see.

Belgium, of all the strange things!

The Ecuadorian contingent, with several different native/ethnic representatives

The floats after the regional and ethnic groups were from the outlying cantons surrounding Ambato in the Tungurahua province. 

Overall, it was really awesome. The city did a great job at putting on the entire parade and making it run relatively smoothly. For the rest of the weekend we basically partied with our friends, just having a good time relaxing and enjoying each other's company.