The Festival of Fruits and Flowers
The Festival of Fruits and Flowers is held every year in Ambato to commemorate the anniversary of the earthquake that destroyed the city on August 5, 1949, where 6000 people lost their lives. The festival was created on 29 June 1950. Although the earthquake was in August, the festival is celebrated in February to fall closer to Carnival. The purpose of the festival is also to celebrate the region's capacity for growing flowers and fruit. The rich volcanic soil of the area are home to a large amount of farms and a great diversity of agricultural products. Ambatenos refer to the city as the "Cradle of the Sun," an ample distinction due to its high elevation and geographic location. Ambateños are commonly referred to as Guaytambos - a type of peach for which Ambato famously grows - by people around Ecuador.
Read more about this topic: Ambato, Ecuador
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