The Las Tablas Carnival concluded with the traditional 'topón', a fierce competition between two factions filled with smoke, thunder, and rocket explosions. This time, they spoke not of conflict, but of good sales and streets packed with people until dawn. Thus, Las Tablas bids farewell once again to its main festival. No one moved. The topón is sacred and is endured to the very end. The final round began promptly at 5:00 a.m., while the stillness of the early morning lingered in the park. The carnival may be leaving, but the rivalry does not rest. Polleras in the sun, passionate followers, and that tension felt only in Las Tablas during the topón. When the two 'tunas' (teams) met in the park, the sky turned gray. Word on the street is that the queens for the 2026 carnival will be officially presented on Glory Saturday. This is how a carnival closes, with clean rivalry and a living tradition. Authorities maintained security operations throughout the day. No one wanted to miss the final face-off. The grand finale began with luxury and a challenge. 'Calle Arriba' and 'Calle Abajo' advanced amidst applause, music, and shouts. The Las Tablas carnival lowered the curtain as tradition dictates: with a topón and no sleep. Rockets, fire, and smoke covered the plaza in seconds. At the dawn of Ash Wednesday, Porras Park once again became the point of collision between Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo. The next battle is already being cooked. You might be interested: Watch out for the water: rains do not let up. Much less the thick smoke that got everywhere. The show lasted about 45 minutes, intense, heavy, without respite. Neither the fatigue of four days of partying nor the heat managed to drive people away. And then, the formal encounter between the two 'tunas' took place, amidst the noise, tension, and shouts of their followers. Among mocking banners and sung barbs, satire also had its space. The 'tunas' showed creativity, cunning, and long memory. Each explosion was a direct message to the rival. Merchants, hoteliers, and vendors had no complaints. Each explosion was a sign of strength. Hundreds arrived early. Here, no one wastes time. Alert is active until tomorrow.
