Chapala will roll out the welcome mat for throngs of revelers as annual Carnaval festivities fire up on Friday, February, sparking high-spirited happenings that will keep the city jumping through Tuesday, February 17.
The local Mardi Gras blowout opens on Friday night with the traditional Entierro del Mal Humor (burial of ill temper), preceded by a rollicking samba parade that winds through the center of town to the gates of Carnaval headquarters at Cristiania Park. The cavalcade sets off from the north end of Avenida Madero (with a highly flexible starting time scheduled for 7 p.m.) to run the full length of the main thoroughfare before jogging off to Paseo Ramon Corona and Avenida González Gallo. 
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park entrance, the party crowd will flood the fair grounds to kick off the celebration with the coronation of 2015’s Rey Feo (Ugly King), the Carnaval Queen and her court who will be elected to rule over 12 days of unbridled hoopla.
Festive spirits rise with the Entierro del Mal Humor, symbolized by the obliteration of a fake cardboard coffin set ablaze during a barrage of noisy firecrackers. The inaugural event peaks with a dance party featuring live tunes by Banda Caña Verde.
Special events booked for the first weekend of Carnaval include the Radio Festival with the appearance of La Inolvidable Banda Agua de la Llave and three other live groups, Saturday, February 7, 9 p.m., and the Festival Urbano on Sunday, February 8, 6 p.m., showcasing hip-hop artist Zimple and nine groups performing, ska, reggae and rock tunes.
Daily attractions spread around at the Carnaval nucleus include mechanical rides, games of chance, dozens of commercial booths, food stalls and cantina tents, keeping the scene abuzz with activity from late afternoon through the wee hours.
Entry to the fairgrounds will be free of charge on opening night week days, with admission on other weekend dates set at 30 pesos for adults and 20 pesos for kids. Extra entrance fees are required for attending headline shows set in the park’s pool area. Advance tickets may be purchased at reduced rates at various local liquor stores, the L&G law office, Calle Juárez 573A-1, and from the Carnaval sound car circulating all around the community.
See the next edition of the Reporter for a listing of other Carnaval program highlights.