Lakeside communities break with normal routines Monday, November 20 to commemorate the 1910 outbreak of La Revolución Mexicana with colorful parades, sporting events and other traditional festivities.
Chapala will mark the civic holiday with a flag ceremony outside City Hall, 8:45 a.m., immediately followed by the annual Desfile de la Revolucíon (parade) running a full loop along Avenida Francisco Madero, starting from the south end at the corner of Paseo Ramón Corona.
In Ajijic, the parade route begins at the east end of Constitución-Ocampo, 9.a.m., heading west to Seis Esquinas and doubling back to the plaza via Hidalgo.
Jocotepec’s celebration customarily kicks off with honors to the flag held at the town square, 8:30 a.m., leading into a parade that snakes through the main streets of the downtown area.
The lively cavalcades feature school kids dressed up to impersonate rabble troops and historic figures of the Revolution era, uniformed student squads that pause along the way to perform synchronized routines and athletic stunts, marching bands blasting familiar tunes and charro equestrians saddled on prancing mounts. The spectacle provides plenty of entertainment for spectators and great fodder for shutterbugs.
Motorists are advised that traffic along main thoroughfares will blocked for most of the morning while the parades are underway.
San Antonio Tlayacapan and many other satellite villages will postpone Revolution parades and festivities until the following weekend.
As mandated under reforms in federal labor laws enacted in 2006, the date for marking the uprising that ended the long dictatorship of President Porfirio Diaz was changed from November 20 to the third Monday of the month. Banks, schools and government offices close for the occasion. Merchants and many businesses operate as usual. Full and part time domestic workers and other salaried employees are entitled to a day off with regular pay.
Many families take advantage of the three-day puente (long weekend) to enjoy vacation breaks at popular tourist destinations, including the lakeshore region.
Revolution day:A national holiday
Monday, November 20 is Revolution Day in Mexico and a national holiday, when all schools, government offices and banks will close.
The large Revolution Day parade in Guadalajara takes place on Avenida Chapultepec, starting from the Niñõs Heroes Glorieta at 10 a.m. Expect to see floats depicting revolutionary themes, sportsmen, women and children and demonstrations by emergency services. Mexican military might is conspicuously absent during this parade.