A party atmosphere is taking over the northern Colombian city of Monteria this week, with the opening of the 35th Reinado Popular y Cultural de la Ganaderia – a festival of local culture and entertainment.
Organized by the mayor’s office, the twelve-day event is dedicated to celebrating the best of the region’s cultural offerings – with a particular focus on the area’s tradition of livestock rearing.
Spectators will be given the opportunity to experience true “ranchero” culture, with performances by local bands and the sale of traditional food from the region.
However, the festival’s most popular event, and the one likely to draw the largest crowds, is the city’s annual beauty pageant.
With more entrants than ever before, this year’s competition will see 44 young women attempting to impress the judges over the duration of the festival.
The festival will begin on June 2, whilst the pageant’s lucky winner will receive her crown on Sunday 13.
To see the competition’s full list of events, click here.