This neighborhood festival actually continues for 2 weeks and the kick off is today. The matron saint of Hatillo is Our lady of Mount Carmel also known as Virgen del Carmen.
The patron saint festivities are held during the first 2 weeks of July and always includes the 16th of July in its weeks. The 16th of July is the Virgin of Carmel day, and it is celebrated with great pride and devotion still today. The day of the Virgin, La Patrona, is a very special day in town with several all- day masses starting at 5 am with lots of penitents and favored-ones of the Patrona. Many people come every year for the High Mass at 3 pm. This mass includes the special procession and carriage of the venerated statue of the virgin through all the town center streets, and a special "trip" over to the near ocean shore by the local fishermen on their traditional boats known as "Yolas", because Our Lady Of Carmel is the Patron Saint of fishermen and it is a special devotion for our city.