The Quinceañera is also known as Mis Quince in many areas. This celebration marks the fifteenth birthday of a young Hispanic woman. Like a cross between the Bat Mitzvah and a Sweet Sixteenth celebration, this can be a very big event. Families have been known to save money well in advance of the fifteenth birthday to make this the most lavish celebration ever. Luxurious can also be. The Quinceañera can include live bands, limousines, flowers, prepared food and many gifts. It is traditional for the young woman celebrating her fifteenth to choose a very elegant dress for the occasion. She will also carry a bouquet of flowers. Friends and family will also dress up for the quinceañera, but no one can outshine the birthday girl.
The Quinceañera comes from the Spanish for the fifteenth birthday, and as mentioned before, it is commonly celebrated in Hispanic cultures in places like Mexico and South America. It is also a spiritual celebration for everyone involved in the party. A religious service is held before the party where the pastor speaks about the importance of the Quinceañera tradition. The young woman talks to her about her hopes and dreams for the future and her parents talk to her about her happiness for her and what she brought into their lives.
Of course, after all this teary-eyed candid honesty, it’s time to have some fun. According to ancient tradition, the entire group follows the party girl through the town in parade formation to where the party is taking place. Now though it’s more likely to be a car parade. At the party, the quinceañera will have her traditional ‘first’ mixed dance with a boy, indicating that she is growing up. Others then join her on the dance floor for fun and possibly to win some dance floor prizes.
