Lares, Puerto Rico

Lares is a mountain town of around 34,400 inhabitants (2000 census). It is located some twenty to thirty minutes southwest of Arecibo on State Road 129 (PR 129). Other neighboring communities include San Sebastián in the west, Utuado to the east and Adjuntas to the south. The land area of Lares includes some of the largest banana plantations on the island. The patron saint for Lares is "San José", celebrated on March 19.

Lares is best known in Puerto Rico for el Grito de Lares. People from all over Puerto Rico congregate on September 23rd each year on what may well be called Puerto Rico's contribution to the worldwide cause for national indepence. The date marks the anniversary of the September 23, 1868 Grito de Lares. On that date in 1868, a group of Puerto Rican political figures and their followers revolted against the colonial status of Puerto Rico under Spain's government. The shield of Lares, shown at left, includes a likeness of the flag designed by the revolters, which was meant to substitute Spain's flag, which symbolized Puerto Rican colonialism under Spanish rule.

Lares celebrates annually el Festival Nacional del Guineo (National Banana Festival), organized by Centro Cultural 23 de septiembre. It is usually held the second week in June and has become a municipal tradition since 1991. Plaza de la Revolución, the town's main square, is usually the host for an artisan show with close to one hundred exhibits. Trovadores sing local folk music. Agricultural products are exhibited and sold. The festival includes the production of the world's largest cauldron of Guineos en Escabeche. They are delicious. Here is the recipe