San Sebastian - Día de la Asunción de María

August 15th, the day celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin, is today!  I'm not knowledgeable regarding the Assumption and its religious significance but I am convinced it's an excellent excuse for throwing a big party at the church near our rental. 

San Sebastian Church has been celebrating the Assumption for decades. Local guilds each get a day to run the party. Through careful analysis I've been able to determine the daily schedule the guilds follow.

The schedule is as follows:

5:30 am	Fireworks.
7:00 am	Mass.
8:00 am	Clean up last nights mess.
10:00 am	Mass.
11:00 am	Fireworks.
12:00 am	Bell ringing and fireworks.
1:00 pm	Marching bands and fireworks.
2:00 pm	Fireworks.
3:00 pm	Fireworks.
4:00 pm	Bell ringing and fireworks.
5:00 pm	Go get some more fireworks.
6:00 pm	Have a smoke, eat something.
7:00 pm	Fireworks.
8:00 pm	Fireworks.
9:00 pm	Strap rockets to back. Light them.
10:00 pm	Fireworks.
11:00 pm	Load a wooden bull with fireworks. Light them.
Midnight	Fireworks.
1:00 am	Pretend you're sleeping.
2:00 am	Fireworks.
3:00 am	Pretend you've gone home.
4:00 am	Fireworks.

Should you be planning to visit San Sebastian during the Celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin, I hope this schedule has been helpful.  

If you're visiting Merida during the festivities, you definitely should check them out.  Give some thought as to how near Parque San Sebastian you will want to be staying.