La Paz's Gran Poder Promise Parade Attracts 130,000, Generates $21 Million

The Promise of the Gran Poder, a pre‑festival procession in La Paz, will take place on Sunday 26 July as a prelude to the main Gran Poder entry scheduled for 1 August. More than 95,000 dancers and 35,000 musicians from 74 fraternities will march through the city’s streets, covering a route that starts on Avenida Baptista near the General Cemetery and proceeds through Plaza Garita de Lima, Avenida Max Paredes, Avenida Buenos Aires, Calle Vicente Ochoa, Calle Antonio Gallardo, Calle Sagárnaga, Avenida Illampu and ends at Plaza Eguino.

The event, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, is projected to generate an economic movement of about US$21 million, benefiting sectors such as traditional costume making, embroidery, crafts, music, gastronomy, hospitality, transport and commerce. The municipal authorities have deployed municipal guards, police and fire services, installed medical posts and enforced controls on alcohol consumption to ensure public safety during the large‑scale celebration.