Traditional events slated this weekend in Ajijic are guaranteed to literally color your (Independence) holiday mood.
Fancy takes flight Saturday, September 10 with the annual Regatta de Globos, a light-hearted hot-air ballooning contest where friendly rivalry between a dozen opposing teams will center as much on their creativity and ingenuity as it will on technical ability to achieve speed, altitude and distance with their handmade tissue paper vessels.
The colorful display rainbow-hued balloons fashioned into myriad sizes and shapes is held at the soccer field located on Calle Revolucion opposite Salvador’s Restaurant, with the first launches starting around 4 p.m. A voluntarily donation for admission will be welcomed at the gate. Cold drinks and snacks may be purchased on the grounds.
Paper balloon crafting has a history in Mexico that goes back about 100 years. The fragile flying contraptions are often referred to as globos de cantolla, in honor of Joaquin de Cantolla y Rico, one of the nation’s earliest hot-air balloon fanatics. Curiously, it seems that the art and sport of globo flying was introduced on the local scene in the 1960’s by expatriate settlers and remained a favorite fiesta past time throughout the 1970s. Although the custom began fading over the next two decades, a new generation of globo freaks has revived the colorful regattas as a centerpiece of Fiestas Patrias hullabaloo.
The fun continues Sunday, September 11, as local horseman celebrate the Dia de Charro by gathering for a Noon service at the San Andres Church, followed by an equestrian parade through town. A Charreada rodeo contest will be held at the local Lienzo arena (just below the the balloon field), starting at 4 p.m.
Local ladies cap off the day with a stunning fashion parade at the village square, 6 p.m., featuring different styles of rebozo shawls as the classic accessory for typical Mexican outfits.