Spanish
Punta Cana, La Altagracia. - The Boulevard 1st of November once again became the epicenter of art, tradition, and Dominican identity with the celebration of the Punta Cana Carnival 2026, an initiative of Grupo Puntacana through its Puntacana Foundation which, since 2008, promotes the preservation and projection of national folkloric expressions in the eastern region of the country.
The event began with one of the most emblematic moments of the parade, the coronation of Queen Momo 2026, an honor that this year was awarded to the renowned communicator Mariasela Álvarez, becoming the second woman to receive this distinction in the history of the event.
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Álvarez, the first Dominican to win the Miss World pageant in 1982, has built a solid career of more than four decades in communication, characterized by her leadership, critical thinking, and commitment to social causes. Her program "Esta Noche Mariasela" was consolidated as one of the most credible spaces on Dominican television, being recognized with multiple Soberano Awards. The coronation was in charge of Paola Rainieri, Chief Marketing Officer of the Puntacana Group, and marked the official start of the parade. Subsequently, the Carnival Queen toured the boulevard in a collector's vehicle accompanied by the founder of the Puntacana Group, Frank Rainieri, amidst the enthusiasm of the public. More than 60 troupes and around 1,500 carnival participants took part in this edition, representing different provinces of the country such as La Vega, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Bonao, San Cristóbal, San Juan, Barahona and the National District, among others, as well as international delegations invited from Miami, Haiti, Peru, Bahamas and Aruba. The parade offered a spectacle of creativity, tradition and cultural diversity that integrated traditional characters, fantasy and contemporary expressions. The attendees enjoyed the event from 17 stages and 20 free bleachers, in a family-friendly, organized, and safe environment, complemented by a wide gastronomic offer and spaces designed for the enjoyment of adults and children.Las Musas de Punta Cana pay tribute to the Mangrove
As every year, Las Musas de Punta Cana marked one of the most anticipated moments of the parade. In this edition they presented "Las Musas del Manglar", an artistic proposal that exalted the biodiversity and ecological value of this key ecosystem for coastal protection. Through costumes made by the members themselves, in green and blue tones, the comparsa integrated art, community and environmental awareness in a staging that reaffirms the distinctive seal of the carnival.
