Per long-standing tradition, neighbors of Ajijic’s west end will usher in 2023 with the madcapTecoluta Bowl New Year’s Day parade.
The light-hearted Año Nuevo Desfile features a string of whimsical floats and marching contingencies put together by different groups of families and friends, each vying to amuse spectators with hand-crafted decorative details, silly costumes and wild antics.
Paraders queue up at Seis Esquinas, Calle Alvaro Obregon at Ocampo, for a kickoff loosely set between Noon and 1 p.m. The column heads east along Ocampo, snaking through the center of town before looping back to the starting point. Finally, the jolly crowd proceeds to the waterfront Tecoluta soccer field (just off of Calle Francisco Villa) for an afternoon of convivial futbol matches to renew bonds of community friendship.
The Chapala government is throwing a public New Year’s Eve bash Saturday, December 31, starting at 8:45 p.m. with the Nevada artificial blizzard and fireworks set off from the roof of City Hall. The festivities continue at the waterfront from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., with music for dancing by the Pancho Pantera Big Band Orquesta and a big fireworks display bursting in the night sky at the stroke of midnight.
Party-goers are allowed to set up their own tables and chairs at the Malecón and bring food, cookout equipment and liquid refreshments of choice. Propane tanks and glass containers are not permitted.