The floats for the 61st edition of the Festival of Joy are inspired by the tourist route of the municipality of Garzón and have been the result of two and a half months of hard work, reported the Mayor’s Office.
The 61st Departmental and Popular Festival and Reign of Joy and Folklore in Garzón, Huila, has witnessed an unprecedented spectacle this year thanks to the impressive floats created by master craftsman José Antonio Bastidas Vallejo. With more than three decades of experience in the creation of floats for cultural events, his team of young Garzón artisans has raised the art of float making to new heights with their dedication and unparalleled talent.
According to the Mayor’s Office, this year’s floats, inspired by the rich tourist route of the municipality of Garzón, have been the result of hard work lasting two and a half months. From the first light of day to the darkness of night, José Antonio and his team of four have dedicated themselves fully to transforming simple Styrofoam blocks into living masterpieces. He detailed the meticulous process that included styrofoam carving, paper mache coating, and detailed application of paint with a brush and airbrush, each step marked by a passion for detail and love of art.
The impact of these floats was not limited to the aesthetic level; They were a testament to the ingenuity and artistic skill that defines José Antonio and his team. The creations captured not only the visual essence of Garzón and his natural environment, but also the cultural and folkloric essence that characterizes the region. This artistic display did not go unnoticed, resonating deeply among local and visiting spectators, who witnessed an exhibition comparable to the largest festivals in Colombia, such as the renowned Carnival of Whites and Blacks in Pasto and the emblematic Carnival of Barranquilla.
Behind this initiative is the vision of Mayor Francisco Calderón Feriz who has supported arts and culture, ensuring that events such as the Garzón Festival and Reinado not only last, but has also placed the city at the level of the greats. cultural cities of Colombia.
It is worth remembering that, according to the educator and historian from Garzón, Jorge Gentil Puentes, although some of the population believes that the festivities began in 1963, it is because a festival was made official, but that was not really the beginning of the festivities, he clarified. According to him, in 1962, there was even an unofficial reign in Garzón. The history of the festivities goes back to previous traditional festivals by peasants of the ‘diocesan capital’ of Huila. What was new was the reign and through which it was institutionalized.
