Considered by many to be the best event of its kind in Mexico, the Jalisco Expo Ganadera (Livestock Fair) is being held in Tlaquepaque from Friday, October 12, through Sunday, November 4.
These fairs have become an institution over the years. This is the place where proud ranchers exhibit their finest purebred horses and bulls, as well as prize-winning sheep, dogs, pigs and other animals.
Organized by the Regional Ganadera Union of Jalisco, the fair exhibits extensive breeds of livestock, including Spanish, Aztecan and Appaloosa horses, Beefmaster, Angus Black and White cows and Black Belly, Dorpa and Boer breeds of sheep, pig and goat.
Each Sunday, Expo Ganadera will offer full charreadas – Mexican rodeo featuring demonstrations of skills in horsemanship and lassoing.
According to organizers, there are approximately 4,500 animals on display at any one phase of the fair. This year, the Expo has four phases, each lasting around five days and showcasing a series of animal breeds.
Since its inception in 1967, the Expo has worked to educate younger and older generations alike about the diversity of farm animals, farming culture and, more recently, about the developments in genetically enhanced livestock.
You can appreciate the cattle in other ways – by sampling a smorgasbord of barbecued goodies or admiring the leather products on sale. There is also a host of musical events, as well as clowns and other performers.
The Expo is headquartered at the sprawling Union Ganadera fairgrounds, located at the Glorieta Alamo where the Chapala-Guadalajara highway feeds into Avenida Gonzalez Gallo and Lazaro Cardenas. While the height of activity will be concentrated during afternoon and evening hours, gates open at 9 a.m. daily. Entry to the fair is 40 pesos for adults and ten pesos for children.
To get a day-by-day schedule of events at the Expo Ganadera (in Spanish), go to www.ugrj.org.mx.