Ghoulish fun will embrace Ajijic on Saturday, October 26, when everyone is invited to watch the annual zombie “Thriller” dance, carve artistic pumpkins and enjoy a delicious “apocalypse” barbecue on the plaza.
Diane Pearl Colecciones’ first annual Pumpkin Carving Contest and Toy Drive is designed to celebrate and exchange knowledge about both Halloween and Day of the Dead. This fun activity will take place on the Ajijic Plaza from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tables will be set up for carving and decorating the pumpkins but participants must bring their own tools, such as a paring knife. A number of local artists and sculptors will be involved in the event. Additional fun activities are planned and pumpkin pie will be on sale.
Anyone can participate or sponsor someone for just 50 pesos. Proceeds will go to providing toys and art supplies to local children at Christmas.
The judging of pumpkins takes place after the “Thriller” presentation at 4 p.m. (see below). At around 6 p.m, when the zombie parade returns from Seis Esquinas, Manix Restaurant will put on a BBQ costing 150 pesos per person. Pumpkins will be lit and music provided by Ricardo and Blanca.
Zombies
At 4 p.m. on the dot, zombies will be moving and grooving outside the Rosario Chapel, on the north side of the plaza. In this annual international dance event and world record breaking attempt, participants simultaneously emulate the zombie dance seen in the music video of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Last year, nearly 10,000 dancers took part in events at 174 locations, raising money for multiple causes.
The Ajijic dancers, who have been rehearsing heartily for this performance, will be raising funds for the Chapala Cruz Roja.
After their antics in the plaza, the zombies will parade to Seis Esquinas via Calle Hidalgo, repeat the “Thriller” dance there and then traipse back to the plaza via Ocampo and Marcos Castellanos.
The subsequent BBQ dinner will be a fundraiser to purchase outfits for Luceros de la Mañana, the DIF Ajijic senior ladies’ choir.
Comments town administrator Hector España: “What do we do if Ajijic is invaded by zombies? Eat, drink and be merry!”
Party tickets, pumpkin carving entry forms, and Zombie pledge sheets are all available at Diane Pearl Colecciones and Absolut Fenix Realty.