Dominicans will enjoy their second long weekend in January starting tomorrow. Friday, 21 January is a holiday in the DR. It commemorates Altagracia Day, honoring the patron saint of Dominicans. Most of the events are centered at the Basílica de la Altagracia in the city of Higüey, capital of La Altagracia province, where Punta Cana-Bavaro beaches are located. The long weekend extends through Monday, 24 January that in turn commemorates Duarte Day, honoring the birthday of the founding father of the Dominican Republic, Juan Pablo Duarte. This long weekend is exceptional because of the Friday and Monday holidays. Note that as is customary, the DR1 News Service will not appear on Friday or on Monday, due to the holiday celebrations. Other long weekends (time when Dominicans will take off Friday afternoons to travel to resorts) in the DR this year will occur on Friday, 21 April (Good Friday) to Sunday, 23 April; Friday, 28 April through Monday, 1 May (Labor Day); Thursday 22 June (Corpus Christi Day) – Sunday, 25 June 2000; Friday 3 November – Monday, 6 November 2000 (Constitution Day); and Friday, 22 December – Monday, 25 December 2000 (Christmas Day). (20 January 2000)
