Photos: Las Posadas in Tucson through the years
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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Las Posadas is a nearly 400-year-old Mexican Christmas tradition in which a child dressed as an angel leads a procession including a couple dressed as Joseph and Mary (pregnant with Baby Jesus) seeking shelter each night for eight days. The procession may include a Nacimiento (nativity), as well as caroling, food and often a piñata for children afterward.
Carrillo Communications and Creative Arts Magnet School, 440 S. Main Ave., in Tucson, has hosted the procession since 1937.
Shyla Harlan leads the procession as the Knocker Child, the figure who asks shelter for the nacimiento, as the 86th annual Las Posadas winds its way through the neighborhood near Carrillo K-5 Communications and Creative Arts Magnet School on Dec. 16, 2022. Harlan is the first girl in the local procession's history to play the part of the Knocker Child. A record number of Carrillo students participated in the procession.
Aydan Cowan as the Knocker Boy leads singing students from Carrillo K-5 School through the streets of Barrio Viejo on the 82nd Annual Las Posadas Celebration, Friday, December 14, 2018, Tucson, Ariz. A few hundred walked along with the procession, a Mexican/American take on the search by Joseph and Mary for shelter on the eve of the birth of Jesus.
Yanitzia Vega helps Araceli Arellano get her hair just right before the two Pumas de Roskruge folklorico dancers prepare to perform at the 82nd Annual Las Posadas walk through the streets of Barrio Viejo by students of Carrillo K-5 Magnet School, Friday, December 14, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Star girl Isabell Morrison heads for her place in the procession as a couple dozen students from Carrillo K-5 Magnet School and a couple hundred onlookers prepare for the 82nd Annual Las Posadas Celebration walk through the streets of Barrio Viejo, Friday, December 14, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Nayeli Romero, in red at left, Iris Lee and Jasmine Gomez sing with the crowd and other students from Carrillo K-5 Magnet School outside the ceremonial house to accept Joseph and Mary for the 82nd Annual Las Posadas Celebration walk through the streets of Barrio Viejo, Friday, December 14, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Children at Carrillo School near downtown Tucson sing during Las Posadas in December, 1978. The school has hosted the annual procession since 1937.
Parishioners at Santa Cruz Catholic Church at 6th Ave. and 22nd Street, Tucson, sing during Las Posadas in December, 1974.
Nine people carried the Nacimiento seeking lodging for Mary and Joseph in the Pascua Yaqui village in Tucson until they arrived at the home of Dolores Bravo, where they stayed for food and song in December, 1979.
Las Posadas procession in Tucson in December, 1968.
Las Posadas at Carrillo School in Tucson in December, 1968.
Jessica Basurto, left, and Martin Lopez, dressed as Mary and Joseph, lead a procession for Las Posadas at Pima Community College East in December, 1989. It was sponsored by the campus M.E.Ch.A and Spanish clubs.
Children emerge from De Grazia Gallery in the Sun north of Tucson during Las Posadas procession in the 1960s.
People sing during Las Posadas procession in a Tucson barrio in December, 1964.
Las Posadas at Carrillo School in Tucson in December, 1968.
Las Posadas led by Father Vicente Lopez at Tucson Museum of Art in December, 1981. The group sought refuge for Mary and Joseph at the homes of Barbara Grygutis and Julia Valdez before being welcomed in at La Casa Cordova, one of the oldest homes in Tucson.
Las Posadas in Tucson in December, 1988.
Las Posadas in Tucson in December, 1985.
Thalia Vasquez waits with other Carrillo School students for the start of the 70th annual Las Posadas on Dec. 19, 2006. The school's students walk through the old barrio in the procession in search of a house which will take Mary and Joseph in. The procession stops at several homes before one accepts their offer, at which time carols are sung. More than 60 students participated.
Door knocker Estevan Gomez leads Carrillo School students in the 70th annual Las Posadas on Dec. 19, 2006.
Carrillo Elementary School students dressed as pink angels exit the school as they celebrate the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas in Barrio Viejo in Tucson on Dec. 18, 2007
Carrillo Elementary School student Kiannah Fuentes, 11, at front left in white, helps carry the nacimiento as they celebrate the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas in Barrio Viejo in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 18, 2007.
A group of angels and and Maypole carriers sing outside the final home that symbolizes where Joseph and Mary finally found shelter during the Carrillo Elementary School's 75th Annual Jubilee of the Las Posadas on Dec. 16, 2011.
Sofia Perez, 8, center holding candle, participates in the 74th Annual Las Posada procession at Carrillo Elementary Magnet School on December 15, 2010. Students from Carrillo reenact Joseph's search for a room by knocking on five door in the neighborhood while singing traditional songs.
Sarah Arevalo, Allie Hill, and Yliana Moreno carry the Nativity scene with their classmates from the Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School through the Barrio el Hoyo neighborhood during the 69th annual Las Posadas procession on December 13, 2005 in Tucson.
Lantern Holders Andrew Dicochea and Aundre Romero sing during the 72nd annual Las Posadas procession put on by Carrillo Elementary Magnet Schoool on December 12, 2008 in Tucson.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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