Yipao Parades

The Yipao or Jeep parade is a folkloric celebration in the Colombian department of Quindío, specially during the anniversary parties of the departmental capital Armenia.

The first Jeeps (M38 or CJ-2A models) arrived to Colombia in 1946 for military purposes. They were imported by the Colombian Ministry of Defense and soon became very popular among Colombian coffee farmers. Besides the transportation of coffee, Jeeps are used to transport many other agricultural products, as well as country workers to places previously accessible only to pack animals. Due to this quality, the Jeeps are also known locally in Spanish as "mulitas mecánicas" (or mechanical mules).

Many families in the Paisa region and Colombian Coffee-Growers Axis own Jeep vehicles, which have become a beloved symbol of the coffee culture. Often the Jeeps have many ornaments, icons, and flashy accessories, in a kitsch style.

The Yipao parade is celebrated during anniversary parties both in Armenia and Calarcá, Quindío. The event has several categories separated according to the products carried in the vehicles:

•             Agricultural products

•             Coffee

•             Furniture

•             People

•             Institutional advertisement

The vehicles are driven by the main streets of the city and the Jeeps with the largest amount of objects carried and the most harmonious arrangements earn prizes.

In February 2006, a Guinness World Records was established the for the "Longest Jeep Parade" in Calarca, with a caravan of over 370 Jeep Willys vehicles.