National pride and patriotic spirits will grip the lakeside area over the next ten days as the populace gears up for the anniversary of the 1810 start of Mexico’s Independence struggle against Spanish rule.
With a cornucopia of special happenings to choose from, the Reporter’s day-by-day schedule may help readers decide how to get into the swing of things.
Friday, September 6
Fiesta Mexicana, with a Mexican buffet luncheon plus folk dance and charro show, 2.30 to 630 p.m., Lake Chapala Society, Calle 16 de Septiembre 16-A, Ajijic.
Nuestra Belleza Ajijic beauty pageant and coronation, with live entertainment, from 9 p.m., Ajijic Plaza.
Saturday, September 7
Usos y Costumbres del Rebozo, traditional shawl fashion parade, featuring Singer Lola la Tequilera, 6 p.m., Ajijic Plaza.
Día de la Mujer Indígena exhibition of typical costumes and rebozos, 8 p.m., San Antonio Tlayacapan Plaza.
Sunday, September 8
Jocotepec’s Día del Charro equestrian parade, departing 2 p.m. from Barrio La Campana for a ride through town to the Lienzo Charro arena.
Performance by Sopa de Piedra band, the first in a series of cultural events to be held nightly through September 13, 8 p.m., Jocotepec Plaza.
Thursday, September 12
Día del Historiador, exhibit of vintage pictures and colloquium on Chapala history, 9 a.m., Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia, Avenida Madero next door to Chapala Banamex branch.
Friday, September 13
Conmemoración Día de los Niños Héroes (Heroic Defense of Chapultepec, 1847), civic ceremony, 9 a.m., Madero at Ramón Corona opposite Fisherman’s Fountain, Chapala
Saturday, September 14
Día del Charro equestrian parade, 11 a.m., Avenida Madero, Chapala.
First Informe de Gobierno, Chapala Mayor Moisés Anaya Aguilar, 7 p.m., Auditorio de la Ribera, La Floresta.
Live Mariachi music, 10 to 11 a.m., Chapala Plaza and 4 to 5 p.m., Malecón Chacaltita (east leg).
Ajijic’s Regata de Globos, paper hot air balloon extravaganza, Cruz Azul soccer field, Calle Revolución at Guadalupe Victoria, from 3 p.m. to sunset, weather permitting. Donations for admission collected at the gate. Food and drinks for sale on site.
Baile Folclórico Ixtacatotl dance performance, 8 p.m., Explanada de la Hermandad, opposite Chapala City Hall.
Baile de Gala town dance, 8 p.m., Auditorio Marcos Castellanos, Jocotepec.
Sunday, September 15
Torneo de Pesca, annual sport fishing contest, 8 a.m. ti 2 p.m., Ajijic waterfront, Malecón.
Paseos de Esperanza five-kilometer foot race to benefit local young woman needing kidney transplant, starts at Ajijic Malecón, 8:30 a.m.
Charro Thanksgiving Mass, noon, San Andrés Parish, Ajijic.
Juegos Tradicionales, sack races, greased pole and other fun and games for kids and adults, 3 to 7 p.m., Ajijic Plaza.
Celebration wrapped around El Grito, a modern reenactment of Padre Miguel Hidalgo’s historic 1810 Cry of Independence, 11 p.m. at government headquarters and plazas in Chapala, Jocotepec, Ajijic, Santa Cruz de la Soledad and San Nicolas de Ibarra. Live entertainment programmed throughout the evening, with fireworks and more festivity following the formalities.
Monday, September 16
Desfile de Independencia, civic parades along main streets of most localities, starting 9 a.m. in Chapala, Jocotepec, Santa Cruz and San Nicolas; 10 a.m. in Ajijic.
Juegos Tradicionales games for kids, 2 p.m., Malecón Chacaltita, Chapala.
Jaripeo Baile, bullriding and dance party, 4 p.m., Ajijic Lienzo Charro bullring, Calle Revolución (tianguis street).
Tradicional Combate de Flores, village beauty queens armed with flowers and confetti leading a mock battle with spectators, 7 p.m., Ajijic Plaza.
Party on …
Local festivities will continue the following weekend with the customarily delayed Grito ceremonies, Independence parades and village fairs in San Antonio Tlayacapan and San Juan Cosalá.