The United States Consulate in Guadalajara put on a lively bash to celebrate the 238th U.S. Independence Day — held this year for the first time in the Patio de Cristal of the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG) in the upmarket suburb of Lomas de Valle. About 90 percent of the consulate’s staff members were there to greet guests and generally keep the social extravaganza moving smoothly.
The cream of Guadalajara society, mostly representing business and government, were on hand to hear U.S. Consul Mark Seibel stand in for Consul General Susan Abeyta. Dignitaries included Chapala Mayor Joaquin Huerta Barrios and Jocotepec Mayor Juan O´Shea Cuevas. The UAG lent support with both student and staff musical groups. Jazz group Versuah were followed by a string quartet, while 12-piece mariachi group Tecuruí closed the party.
The UAG Choir sang the Mexican national anthem and the “Star Spangled Banner” was belted out by consulate staffer Natalia Soto. Food and drink were in abundance and supplied by U.S. and Mexican chains, including Crispy Creme, Chili’s, Applebees, Shiner Beer, Tequila houses Patron and Herradura, Starbucks, Peter Piper Pizza, Pepsi, Costo and others.
