The St. James the Apostle Fiesta, also known as the Plaridel Horse Festival is a celebration and devotion of the people to their patron saint. St. James the apostle was said to be the symbol of hope that also brought Christianity to Spain. He was also seen riding a horse thus marking the celebration. The parish was known to be about 408 years old and was believed to have celebrated this festival since 1602.
Kalesa, Tiburins and Horse back riders in the Parish grounds
Horse back riders, Kalesa and Tiburins (small horse drawn carriage) from Manila, Binondo, and Sta. Cruz fill the streets of Plaridel, joined by patron saints of different towns and devotees participated in this joyous event.
Marking a change in the event and for the first time, Rev. Fr. Jose Dennis A. Espejo, parish priest, invited some the nation’s best Filipino artists from the Saturday group and the Lakan Sining ng Bulacan to do an on-the-spot sketching session to capture the essence and devotion of the festival and its people.
Artworks are now part of the Parish museum.
Artists that participated in the on-the-spot sketching and Rev. Fr. Jose Dennis A. Espejo (center)
Herd of horses are always seen parading in the streets of Plaridel every 29th and 30th of December.