Lakesiders are in for plenty of fireworks, festivity and religious fervor as two beloved icons make the rounds over the coming week.
The Virgin of Zapopan is set for a weekend tour schedule as a traditional thanksgiving celebration marking the end of the rainy season.
The tiny statuette known as the Queen of the Lake arrives in Santa Cruz de la Soledad Friday, October 26 for an overnight visit.
The following afternoon the figure will be transported to Chapala for a lengthy street procession initiating from the north end of town, 6 p.m., at the Refugio Chapel, located on Calle Alvaro Obregon near the abandoned old bull ring, wending its way along Privada Madero, Miguel Martinez, Acapulco, Flavio Romero, Cinco de Mayo, Lopez Cotilla, and Avenida Madero to end at the San Francisco Church for evening services and all-night vigil. The Virgin will be sent off amid fanfare as she departs for a stopover in San Antonio Tlayacapan.Ajijic wraps up a month of devotions honoring Our Lady of the Rosary on Tuesday, October 31. After a four-week stay at the San Andres Parish, the antique image will return to her home chapel on the north side of the plaza on the heels of a lively parade around the town.
Ritual dancers decked out full tribal regalia, floats depicting religious themes, marching musicians and sky rocket launchers make up the colorful cavalcade that will line up on Calle Galeana near the rear entrance to church around 5 p.m. Followed by a throng of ordinary folks, the procession turns onto Guadalupe Victoria, Aldama, Constitucion-Ocampo to arrive at Seis Esquinas and double back to San Andres via Hidalgo-Parroquia.
After a farewell mass in the church atrium at 7 p.m., the cherished Virgin will be toted back to the old stone chapel. Lively festivity ensues for several hours as villagers congregate at the plaza to socialize, hear live music and wolf down typical snacks until a fireworks display caps off the night in a blaze of glory.