There’s no better way to let your hair down than mixing it up with the locals during the Carnaval festivities that kick off this weekend and build up to full boogie mode February 1 through 12.
Chapala and Ajijic each have their own particular brands of Mardi Gras blowouts, with a wide range of activities to entertain folks from all walks of life.
Ajijic gets the good times rolling Sunday, January 27 with the start of the town’s traditional Fiestas Taurinas. The fun begins at 11 a.m. when the madcap masked Sayacas prance through the village streets, spreading a bit of mayhem to pull a crowd of followers to the local bullring for a short interlude of dancing and calf wrangling for kids.
Afterwards, folks head for the plaza where the association of charro horsemen host the Recibimiento, a courtesy reception for the ranchers who provide larger livestock for an afternoon round of bull-riding. The Toros event, following at 4 p.m., involves heavy imbibing, loud banda music and dancing in the stands as much as it does the man-versus-beast encounters going on in the arena.
The Sayaca and horsemen will repeat the routine Sunday, February 3 and then daily from February 9 through 12.
The farewell-to-flesh celebration comes to a crescendo February 12, starting with the ever delightful Fat Tuesday parade in the morning and the second annual Carnaval Nocturno, an after-dark parade followed by a drag queen beauty contest and party at the waterfront Malecon. Anyone interested in getting involved in the evening bash may contact Hector España at Manix Restaurant for information.Carnaval Chapala
Chapala’s biggest celebration of the year literally blasts into action on Friday, February 1, 7 p.m., with the customary Entierro del Mal Humor (burial of ill-temper). A rollicking after-dark parade initiates at the north end of Avenida Madero opposite the Pemex gas station, continuing through the center of town, turning on to Paseo Ramon Corona and looping to the Carnaval fairgrounds at La Cristiania Park.
Once the inside the gates the crowd will see the Rey Feo (Ugly King) take up his scepter to fire up the party and blast away somber moods as represented by a cardboard coffin obliterated in a blaze of noisy firecrackers. An opening night dance, featuring Banda Carnaval, follows inside the pool area, with admission set at 50 pesos a head.
Daily activity at the fairgrounds picks up the next day, continuing through February 12, noon to 2 a.m. Carnaval headquarters houses stalls offering food, drinks and assorted commercial goods, as well as mechanical rides, games and a photo display remembering Carnaval celebrations of the past.
A general admission fee of 25 pesos for adults, 15 for children, includes free entry to an ice skating rink and back-to-back shows featuring wild bird and sea lions, slated every evening at 7 and 9 p.m., and a variety of live events.
Advance tickets for special entertainment shows that require extra admission may be purchased at the Carnaval office located at Avenida Cristiana 115, almost directly across the street from park entrance; La Dispensa, Avenida Madero 453 in Chapala; Fiesta Time at Plaza La Montaña, on the Carretera at Calle Colon, Ajijic; the taco stand located at the corner of Ramon Corona and Independencia opposite the plaza in San Antonio; or at the gate until sold out. Costs range from 50 to 200 pesos for general seating and 200 and up for VIP zones.
Highlighted on this year’s program is the appearance of the world-famous Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, immediately following the Reina de Carnaval beauty contest. Sonora Chocolate goes on stage afterwards to offer music for dancing. Tickets for this are priced at 150 pesos per person,
Look for a detailed rundown of Carnaval activities in next week’s edition of the Reporter.