On June 26, 2026, Neiva held the symbolic delivery of the city keys to the candidates for the 65th Reinado Nacional del Bambuco. The event included a welcome parade with 22 delegations and the presentation of the official crown.
The ceremony took place at the plazoleta of the Centro de Convenciones José Eustasio Rivera. During the event, presided over by departmental and municipal authorities, the city keys were handed to the candidates and the official crown of the contest was presented.
A welcome parade marched through the streets of Neiva with artisan floats, sanjuanero dances and a horseback procession. Delegations from 22 regions participated, including Antioquia, Bogotá D.C., Boyacá and the Colombian Colony in the United States.
The event was attended by Adriana Rojas, director of Corposanpedro, and Rodrigo Villalba, governor of Huila. Bands and comparsas such as “Aquelarre” and “Mitos y Leyendas de María Eva” enlivened the route.