Pecos National Historical Park, the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park and Western National Parks Association will host Las Posadas festivities on Monday, December 18th. The free event will begin at 5:00 p.m. with horse-drawn wagon rides. The procession will begin at the remnants of the 18th century church and convento at 6:00 p.m. and wind down the trail to the visitor center with the group singing traditional hymns and holiday songs in both English and Spanish. More than 3,500 farolitos will illuminate the trail. Free hot beverages and biscochitos will be served at the Visitor Center following the procession. There will also be a festive piñata breaking for the children.
Parking will be different this year to better accommodate and serve the growing number of visitors attending this event. Free visitor parking will be located at the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Posse – Rodeo Grounds, immediately south of the Village of Pecos, near mile-marker 5 on the west side of Hwy. 63. Limited handicapped parking will be available at the park visitor center. There will be free bus shuttles to take visitors to and from the park visitor center and parking area. Gates to the parking area open at 5:00 p.m. and bus shuttles will begin taking visitors to the Las Posadas event immediately. The last visitor shuttle from the rodeo grounds to the visitor center will leave at 7:00 p.m. There is no other parking available at Pecos National Historical Park.
Once visitors arrive at the park they should assemble at the church no later than 6:00 p.m., when the procession will begin. For those who are interested, two horse-drawn wagons will be available to convey visitors from the visitor center to the church site between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Appropriate winter clothing and flashlights are highly recommended, temperatures are expected to be around freezing (32 degrees F) and the event is nearly entirely outdoors.
Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park 