National Pyrotechnic Festival

A fireworks "castle" lit announcing the start of the 2013 festival

The National Pyrotechnic Festival (Spanish: Feria Nacional de la Pirotecnia), which takes place in Mexico, is an annual event to promote the country's tradition of production and use of fireworks. It began as celebration in honor of John of God, the patron saint of fireworks makers, in the municipality of Tultepec, State of Mexico, which produces about three quarters of all Mexico’s fireworks. The main event, a parade of toritos—or bull-shaped frames with fireworks attached to them—began in the mid 19th century. The modern national festival began in 1989 and consists of various events, including fireworks competitions. However, the main event remains that of the toritos; about 250 of which were paraded along the streets of Tultepec during the 2013 festival.