healthy and dignified spectacle. The winning design is burned in the Plaza del Carnaval at the end of that day, amid the popular festivities which usually organize the municipal authorities to receive the new year, and may in fact at that time the city begins to be invaded with playful and cathartic spirit of near carnival. Starting in 2006, was banned the sale of Christmas gunpowder in the city, as established by Decree 0207 April 2005 as Mayor of Pasto and Corpocarnaval are the only entities authorized to organize events with fireworks to welcome the new year. Carnival Tribute to the Virgin of Mercy, Colonies Parade, and Rock Day (2 January) From 2000, 2 January was added as an official day into the traditional Carnival programing, with several new acts: Tribute to Our Lady of The Marcy The Virgin of Mercy or "Our Lady of The Marcy", is Governess of "La Ciudad Sorpresa" (The Surprise City, nickname of Pasto). Traditionally celebrated on 24 September, now She receives offerings of flowers and serenades from the nearby farmers, in exchange for her blessing on the new year. Colonies Parade Full of representations of community residents from other parts of the region or elsewhere in the country. Each with its own identity, the Colonies Parade is an opportunity to showcase the symbols that form part of the intrinsic character of each one. Pastorock Pastorock is an event for the development of alternative music: Blues, Rock en Español, Pop, Funk, Ska and Heavy metal. The permanence of this event for several years in the program has encouraged the emergence of products that combine rock and traditional music inspirations giving birth to new rhythms such as "Son Sureño Punk" and "Metal Pastuso". The Carnavalito (Children's Carnival, 3 January) 3 January is the day of Carnavalito. What began as a game of children imitating their elders, recreating the Whites' day parade, has become an event with an identity and dynamic of its own within the Blacks and Whites' festivities, with strong popular roots and support from the authorities. From about 40 years ago, in the morning of this day, children have made their own parade of mini-floats, designed and developed by them, in what is an initiation into elaborating floats and street allegories. Over time, the game has changed in parallel with physical and intellectual growth of the small artisans and players, whom at adulthood will