Ajijic’s program of special events tied into the celebration of Mexican Independence heats up and takes flight Saturday, September 9 with the annual Regatta de Globos.
Weather permitting, a dozen teams affiliated with the town’s Asociación de Globeros will gather at the Cruz Azul soccer field around 3 p.m. to put on the colorful exhibition of hot air balloons hand-crafted from tissue paper.
The venue is wedged between the highway and the bullring, with access on Calle Revolución at the corner of Guadalupe Victoria. Voluntarily donations for admission will be collected at the gate. Snack foods and cool refreshments are sold on the premises.
While roofed viewing stands offer limited seating, many experienced globo-watchers prefer to set up on the sidelines with their own portable chairs, picnic blankets, umbrellas and other outdoor gear.
Spectators will marvel as scores of the delicate balloons are inflated and sent afloat. Many busy hands have been at work for weeks building the flying contraptions in myriad sizes and shapes, with the variety of designs limited only by the imagination of their creators.
The crowd emits a collective sigh of disappointment whenever technical failures cause the globos to pitch sideways and catch fire, withering in the air or hurtling back to earth. On the other hand, applause and cheers erupt with each successful launch.
The dazzling air show customarily runs until just after sundown unless rain or strong winds interfere with viable flying conditions, in which case the event may be postponed until Sunday or another alternate date.