Newly installed Chapala Mayor Joaquin Huerta and U.S. Consul General Susan Abeyta appeared as headline guests at the Lake Chapala Society’s Oktoberfest, sharing the stage with master of ceremonies Hans Boentgen to officially kick off the October 6 event. Huerta opened the party with a warm greeting in Spanish and English, followed by Abeyta who showed off her fluency in German with the customary Austro-Bavarin keg-opening salute, “O’ zapft is!” (It’s tapped).

San Juan Cosala will stage a special Day of the Dead ceremony on Friday, November 2.

The next term of Spanish-language classes at the the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) begins Monday, October 29, covering seven weeks of study ending on December 15.

Time for all you golfers to find your clubs and practice your putting. The Annual Cruz Roja Golf Classic is set for Thursday, November 1, at the Country Club de Chapala at Vista del Lago. The “scramble” format competition has a 9 a.m. start.

Festivities honoring Chapala’s patron saint St. Francis of Assisi got underway this week and will continue daily through October 4.

Family fun, fabulous food and a spirit of international friendship were the hallmarks of the second annual Mexican Independence Day fiesta jointly hosted by Manix restaurant and the Lake Chapala Society.