Ajijic will usher in 2019 on Tuesday, January 1 with a wacky Desfile de Año Nuevo that is guaranteed to allay the worst possible morning-after funk.
The tradition emerged about 20 years ago when residents of the west end Barrio de Guadalupe first planned a friendly soccer match to dispel everyday antagonisms that had built up between teen gangs living at opposite ends of the neighborhood.
As a prelude to the game, groups representing opposing teams from Calles Alvaro Obregón and Francisco Villa meet up at Seis Esquinas (Six Corners) around 1 p.m. to take a spin around town via Calles Ocampo-Constitición and Zaragoza. They work behind closed doors weeks in advance to cook up themes, costumes and float designs that will surprise and amuse spectators lined up along the route.
Once back at the starting point, the entoruage heads for the waterfront Tecoluta playing field to enjoy an afternoon of futbol and frolicking meant to build goodwill for the rest of the year.