Hot-air balloons will soar over Lake Chapala Friday, May 10 through Sunday, May 12 during the regional Feria del Globo Ribera de Chapala, headquartered at La Cristiania Park.
More modest excursions are scheduled in La Barca, Jamay, Ocotlán, Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillo and Tuxcueca.
The main event will showcase 15 balloons with space for four passengers available for static elevation rides up to 35 meters into the air, operating Saturday and Sunday, 6 to 9 a.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. A Zeppelin-shaped airship with capacity for eight passengers will take off for open flights over the lake all three days, with departures running between 6 and 9 a.m. and 9 and 11 p.m.
Chapala’s program kicks off Friday, with an inaugural parade set for 5 p.m. Live musical entertainment at the park starts at 6 p.m., with a balloon demo show at 8 p.m. Saturday’s line-up includes balloon shows for spectators at 6 a.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., a Pool Party DJ fest, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and music performances from 7 p.m. to midnight. On Sunday, balloon shows are scheduled 6 to 10 a.m. and 8 to 11.30 p.m., with a repeat Pool Party starting at 10 a.m., and live music from 9 p.m.
The gastronomy pavilion will feature a variety of tempting foods presented by 12 restaurants. A craft market will attract shoppers looking for handmade goods.
Reservations for balloon rides should be booked in advance through the Ferias y Expos section at web.superboletos.com/SuperBoletos/Jalisco. The straight up-down elevations cost 220 pesos in the morning schedule and 330 pesos after dark. Dirigible flights go for 1,320 pesos per person. Passengers are required to register on site ahead of time to obtain boarding passes.
General admission to the fairgrounds is set at 55 pesos for adults and 33 pesos for children ages 3 to 12 for tickets purchased from Superboletos, or at branches of Cervecería Chapultepec or Vancouver Wings in the Guadalajara metro area. Costs will run at 77 pesos and 55 respectively if paid at the gate.
Three-day passes for camping at the fairgrounds, set at 300 pesos per person including the admission fee, are available through Superboletos.