Pelarco, Chile Cancels Virgen del Carmen Festival Over Weather Emergency

The municipality of Pelarco announced the cancellation of the scheduled artistic and cultural activities of the XIV Fiesta Nacional de la Virgen del Carmen, which were to take place from July 16 to 18. Only the solemn mass on Thursday, July 13, will be held as planned.

Mayor Boris Cabrera Lazo said the decision follows the government's preventive emergency decree and updated forecasts of a strong frontal system expected to bring intense wind and heavy rain to the Maule region. Officials from product development, health, and the Culture and Tourism Corporation are contacting entrepreneurs, artisans and participants who had prepared for the event, which was expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors. The cancellation will be reassessed once conditions are deemed safe.