It has been a revered tradition in Tucson at the holidays for 70 years.

Las Posadas is the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter just before the birth of Jesus.

Students from Carrillo Magnet School, which enrolls students K-5, perform Las Posadas every year. They process through Barrio Viejo with some students carrying props that are up to 70 years old. The students say they look forward to it every year.

The procession draws perhaps the same big crowd and many of the same performers, like Celeste Perez, who has performed in Las Posadas for three years. Preparation for this year’s procession started a month ago.

“It’s been hardcore cause we’ve been practicing every single day and we’ve been outside,” explain Perez.

Students sing and members of the community follow. They go door to door asking for shelter for Mary and Joseph.

“As you walk and you’re singing, you really don’t realize the distance. It goes very fast,” Sandy Canez, a parent, reveals. “It’s almost a shame that it goes very fast. It starts and it’s over so quickly.”

No one seems to get tired, not even the students. Rory Lowe says she is used to walking long distances. “Me and my brother walk all the time…my brother Tito. We walk down the neighborhood with my dog Chiquita.”

The procession, a Mexican tradition, started at Carrillo 70 years ago. Many of the students that perform choose their roles. Marco Cota is in charge of the piñata this year. He says, “I’m actually a good piñata-hitter cause I play baseball a lot so I can probably hit it a lot."

Ruben Fuentes, Fox 11 News

One of the things Fox 11 News did not get to mention was the food. The hot chocolate is also a tradition.

Las Posadas has happened for the last 70 years but it has been performed 71 times, and surely for many more to come.