Concepción Celebrates 253rd Anniversary with Seven-Hour Parade

Concepción, Paraguay, marked the culmination of its 253rd-anniversary festivities with a traditional seven-hour-long civic, student, police, and military parade on Sunday, May 31.

The event commenced at 8:00 AM with the ringing of bells from the María Auxiliadora parish. Following a brief religious ceremony, district and departmental authorities officially opened the parade along Avenida Agustín Fernando de Pinedo, named after the city's founder, Villa Real, established on May 25, 1773.

Despite intermittent light rain early in the day, the sun eventually broke through, illuminating the procession. An estimated 30,000 people participated, filling the seats arranged for spectators along the route. Various educational institutions from Concepción and surrounding districts, as well as civilian, military, and police organizations, presented colorful allegories.

A notable theme in the parade's displays was Paraguay's national football team, the "albirroja," celebrating its qualification for the FIFA World Cup after a 16-year absence. Folkloric dance groups also performed.

Historically, May 31 was observed as the city's founding date due to an error by historian Félix de Azara. Although the correct founding date is May 25, the parade continues to be held on May 31 in honor of this long-standing tradition.