La Pila: Hacienda History and FEREPI

La Pila combines a long hacienda history with civic remembrance and events. The town’s name refers to the “Pila Grande” in a land grant from 1616; the hacienda is one of the oldest in the state of San Luis Potosí. Historical connections to Benito Juárez and the War of Independence stand alongside the annual founding anniversary commemoration and the Feria Regional de La Pila and Gran Premio La Pila cycling race. La Pila is thus a place where local history, a fixed annual anniversary, and individual event formats come together.

Hacienda, Name, and Architecture

The name La Pila comes from the “Pila Grande,” mentioned in a land grant from 1616. The Viceroy Marqués de Guadalcázar granted the land to Martín Ruiz de Zavala. La Pila is home to one of the oldest haciendas in the state of San Luis Potosí. The building has been altered and features an arcaded façade. An arcaded façade is a side of a building with arches. A mezcal factory is located right next to the hacienda.

Historical Connections of the Hacienda

Benito Juárez stayed at the then Hacienda de La Pila with his cabinet while serving as President of the Republic. Another episode dates to the War of Independence: Félix María Calleja organized troops in La Pila to fight against Miguel Hidalgo. These two connections reflect the town’s different historical roles. Juárez’s stay is linked to the hacienda; Calleja’s story centers on organizing troops.

Founding Anniversary Commemoration and FEREPI

January 24 is the annual commemoration of the founding anniversary of the Delegación de La Pila in the Municipio San Luis Potosí. A municipal resolution institutionalized the date as an annual day of remembrance in 2024. Each year on this anniversary, the Delegación Municipal de La Pila organizes civic and cultural events. This connects the remembrance of the founding with a recurring occasion for such events.

Another event is the Feria Regional de La Pila, or FEREPI for short. The 2026 fair was announced for families from La Pila and surrounding communities, with cultural, sporting, gastronomic, and musical activities. The mix may vary from one edition to the next.

Fair and Cycling Race

In 2025, the Feria de La Pila (FEREPI) opened as a traditional La Pila event. The Pabellón de Emprendedores brought together producers from various communities in the Delegación La Pila, where they presented their projects and products. The pavilion thus highlights the initiatives and products of the Delegación.

At the Gran Premio La Pila, the 2025 edition’s circuit covered 3.7 kilometers, with the start and finish in front of the main church of the Delegación La Pila. The route may change in future editions. The events thus differ clearly: the pavilion brought producers together with their projects, while the cycling race was described as a measured circuit.

Discover more destinations: Río Verde, Herradura, Axtla De Terrazas, Santa Maria Del Rio, San Luis Potosí, El Naranjo, Ranchito, Cedral

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