Fiestas Patrias festivities will keep the lakeside area jumping over the coming week in the build-up to the September 16 celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day. Here’s an abbreviated day-by-day list of holiday happenings.
Saturday, Sept. 10
Regata de Globos, paper hot air balloon extravaganza, Cruz Azul soccer field, Calle Revolución at Guadalupe Victoria, Ajijic from 3 p.m. Admission by donation at the gate. Food and drinks for sale.
Pasarela de Rebozos, exhibition of typical Mexican shawls, with live music by Mariachi Águila de Chapala, Chapala Plaza, 6 p.m.
Verbena Popular, a village fair at the San Antonio Tlayacapan Plaza, 6 p.m., followed by Reina de Fiestas Patrias contest final, 8:30 p.m.
Banda Baile, dance party with live music by Shot Norteño and Banda Nueva Cosalá, La Exotica events hall, north side of Ajijic Plaza, advance tickets from 100 pesos.
Sunday, Sept. 11
Carrera Tri-Color, national colors foot races: Jocotepec Plaza to Malecón, starts 8 a.m.; Ajijic three-kilometer circuit starting at the Plaza, 9 a.m.
Dia del Charro celebrations: Ajijic, Mass at San Andrés Parish, noon; parade, 1 p.m., charrería show, Lienzo Charro bullring, 3 p.m. Jocotepec, parade from Barrio La Campana through town, noon, ending at the Lienzo Charro arena with equestrian show.
Usos y Costumbres del Rebozo, shawl fashion show/competition, Ajijic Plaza, 7 p.m.
Chapala Reina de Fiestas Patrias contest final, with live music by Mariachi Águila, at the central Plaza, 7 p.m.
Concurso del Serape, with music by Orquesta Típica de Chapala, Jocotepec Plaza, 7.45 p.m.
Reina de Fiestas Patrias Coronation Dance, Ajijic Plaza, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 13
Día de los Niños Heroes (Heroic Defense of Chapultepec, 1847), civic ceremonies, Jocotepec Plaza, 8:30 a.m.; Chapala waterfront Fisherman’s Fountain, 9 a.m.
“Aquellos Tiempos” exhibit of vintage photographs showing local scenes captured between 1890 and 1955, Chapala City Hall lobby, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 15
Juegos Tradicionales, sack races, greased pole and other fun and games for kids, Ajijic Plaza, 4 p.m.
El Grito, traditional reenactment of Padre Miguel Hidalgo’s historic 1810 Cry of Independence, centered at government headquarters in Chapala, Jocotepec, Ajijic, Santa Cruz de la Soledad and San Nicolas de Ibarra, 11 p.m. Ceremonies culminate with fervent cheers of “Viva Mexico!” and firework displays. Live entertainment before and after the formalities, starting between 7 and 8 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 16
Torneo de Pesca, sport fishing contest, Ajijic waterfront at the foot of Calle Nicolás Bravo, 8 a.m.
Desfile de Indepedencia, civic parades along main streets of most localities. Chapala, Jocotepec and Santa Cruz, 9 a.m.; Ajijic and San Nicolas, 10 a.m.
Independence Day Festivities: Bierkultur craft beer festival, Jocotepec Malecón, from noon. Ajijic program includes cultural matinee, noon; Combate de Flores (confetti battle), 7 p.m. and town dance, 8 p.m., all at the Plaza. Traditional games and races, Chapala Malecón, Santa Cruz Plaza, Jocotepec Malacón and Plaza, from 4 p.m.; San Nicolás Plaza, 5 p.m.
Jaripeo-Baile, bull riding show with banda music; Lienzo Charro Ajijic, from 4 p.m, advance tickets from 250 pesos.
Saturday, September 17
Paco Padilla in concert with Grupo Utopia, Ajijic Plaza, 8 p.m.