Pampilla Festival

According to tradition, due to the distance between Coquimbo and Santiago, news of the establishment of the First Government Junta on 18 September 1810 arrived two days later.

Upon his death, the land was auctioned and acquired in 1870 by José del Carmen Vicuña Lavigne, who used the property for public entertainment.

[5] Outside of September, the site is used as a venue for amateur football and motorsport, the latter due to the road course built in 2006, which has hosted regional speed competitions.

During September's celebration, fondas and ramadas are set up - places where traditional Chilean food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are sold.

The sector designated for the sale of national and international products of all types - clothes, electrical appliances, candies, trinkets, and different articles for the home - occupies a great part of La Pampilla.

Organization was a joint effort by the Municipality of Coquimbo, the National Association of Firefighters [es], Radio Riquelme, and led by the local Lions Club.

The official announcer was Ricardo García [es], who was also the host of the Viña del Mar International Song Festival.

In 1973 the festival was not held because the country was under a state of siege after the 11 September coup d'état that had overthrown President Salvador Allende.

In 1992 the masters of ceremonies were Felipe Camiroaga (Televisión Nacional de Chile) and Humberto Vásquez Cortés (Canal 8).

In the Giant Tent of the Lions Club, La Sonora de Tommy Rey, Grupo Uno, and the Carén Folk Ensemble performed.

In 1998, the artistic presentations were made on 18 and 19 September, and the first Pampilla de Coquimbo Folkloric Root National Festival was held, which was put on by Marengo Producciones and under the musical direction of Enrique Arenas.

The artists invited to this edition were BAFOCHI, El Clavel, Isabel and Ángel Parra, Tito Fernández [es], Pancho del Sur, and Joe Vasconcellos.

The activity was promoted by the newspaper La Cuarta, and on 19 September, the winner was the dancer from the TVN series Rojo: Fama contrafama, Yamna Lobos.

In terms of security, Carabineros de Chile announced the deployment of a large contingent of police officers inside La Pampilla, far superior to previous versions of the festival.

In addition, the entrance fee was suspended to encourage visits to the gastronomic sector and camping area, which both remained open.