Early September’s season of patriotic Fiestas Patrias leading into the celebration of Mexican Independence Day will literally flame up Saturday, September 8 with Ajijic’s traditional Regatta de Globos.
It’s a dazzling exhibition of hot-air balloons hand-crafted from rainbow-hued tissue paper launched from the Cruz Azul soccer field. Barring rain and unfavorable wind conditions, talented craftsmen and their support teams begin setting up for action around 3 p.m. for a continuous spectacle running until after sundown.
Spectators marvel as dozens of the fragile flying contraptions are inflated and put afloat. They are fashioned in a myriad of sizes and shapes, with a variety of colorful decorative patterns limited only by the imagination of their creators.
Many hands are needed to get the largest and most complex models off the ground. The crowd emits a collective sigh of disappointment at technical failures that make the globos pitch sideways and catch fire, withering in the air or hurtling back to earth. By the same token applause and cheers erupt with every success.
The regatta venue is wedged between the Carretera service road and the local lienzo charro bullring, with access on Calle Revolucion a block south of the Bugambilias shopping complex. Admission is free of charge. Snack foods and cool refreshments are sold on the premises. While roofed viewing stands offer limited seating, experienced globo-watchers often prefer to bring their own folding chairs, picnic blankets, umbrellas and other outdoor gear.