Regata de globos
Ajijic’s traditional regata de globos (hot-air balloon fest) is Saturday, September 14, from 3 p.m. to sunset at the Ajijic Soccer field, just off the Wednesday tianguis area, next to Plaza Bugambilias.
Donations for admission collected at the gate. Food and drinks for sale on site. This is a village tradition that spans decades and is fun for all ages. Expats get in on the action too, so join in and have some fun while watching balloons soar – and a few crash and burn.
Grito festivities
Saturday, September 14
• Día del Charro equestrian parade, 11 a.m., Avenida Madero, Chapala.
• Live Mariachi music, 10 to 11 a.m., Chapala Plaza and 4 to 5 p.m., Malecón Chacaltita (east leg).
• Baile Folclórico Ixtacatotl performance, 8 p.m., Explanada de la Hermandad, opposite Chapala City Hall.
Sunday, September 15
• Torneo de Pesca, annual sport fishing contest, 8 a.m. to 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.
Atequiza corn fest
Annual Feria del Elote is on September 13 through 16 in the nearby town of Atequiza includes a gastronomy pavilion, an exhibition of crafts from various parts of Mexico and plenty of live entertainment in the town plaza.
Bikers fest
A motorcycle festival celebrating the fourth anniversary of rally host Guadalajara-based Family Bikers Moto Club is slated for Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15 in Cristiania Park in Chapala.
Highlights include a performance by the Jalisco Transito motorcycle acrobatic team, Saturday, 5 p.m. followed by music from Daniel Cordero, 6 to 8 p.m., the Rock Pirates, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. and rock/ska band Circo Candela, 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Sunday, a biker rodeo will be on from 1 to 2 p.m.; Gennis rock band performs 2 to 4 p.m. Certifications will be given to the Saddlesore Endurance Motorcycle Rally contestants at 4 p.m. for their completion of the 1,000-mile ride in 24 hours Saturday and Sunday; and the Chapala-based Charales ska band will play 5 to 7 p.m.
Harley Davidson, BMW and Honda will show off their bikes and clothes and accessories will be for sale at various stands. Food stands will also be open. Entrance fee is 10 pesos walking and 20 pesos with your motorcycle.
Open Circle
In honor of Mexican Independence day, Open Circle will present Mexican Grace, a special “Thank You” to Mexico and its people. Many of us have experienced extra-ordinary moments in Mexico when the spontaneous graciousness of the Mexican people touched our hearts. For this presentation, members from the audience will share an individual moment of Mexican grace.
Open Circle offer this program as a tribute and thank you to the people of Mexico who have welcomed us with wide and open arms. We are thankful for all Mexico gives; us, music, art, culture, healing, and a reminder of what a culture that has not lost its heart can offer those who avail themselves to what Mexico offers.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
TED Talks
Writer Margaret Hefferman presents “The Human Skills We Need in an Unpredictable World” at the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, September 17, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala. Open to LCS members only.
The more we rely on technology to make us efficient, the fewer skills we have to confront the unexpected, says Heffernan. She shares why we need less tech and more messy human skills – imagination, humility, bravery – to solve problems in business, government and life in an unpredictable age. “We are brave enough to invent things we’ve never seen before,” she says. “We can make any future we choose.”
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Learn about Fresh fruit drinks (agua frescas), Tuesday, September 17, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Street Spanish, Wednesday, September 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Know your rights in Mexico and preserve your assets and yourself, Friday, September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18 and 25, noon to 1:30 p.m. by María de las Nieves Solbes.
• Take a class to obtain a driver’s license, Monday, September 23, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Then go to Guadalajara to obtain your new or renewal license, Tuesday, September 24, 7 a.m.
• Mexican Manners, Wednesday, September 25, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Mexican Salsas, Monday, September 30, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
Lake Chapala Birders
Wednesday, September 18, the Lake Chapala Birders meet 8 a.m. to walk the one-mile-long Allen Lloyd Trail which has lots of underbrush in which birds love to hide. Expect to see stripe-headed sparrow and groove-billed ani. At about 10:15 a.m. the group will head to Cafe Negro restaurant for breakfast and to complete the bird list.
To reach the trail head, drive up the Libramiento a half mile from the traffic light at Walmart, and park on the north side of the road across from the El Dorado Condominium tower.
Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Information: chapalabirders.org.
Medical Information Kit
The Chapala Cruz Roja, with the help of local medical professionals, has created a Medical Information Kit that could very well save your life.
For a mere 50 pesos, and an hour of your time at a workshop, you could go home with a vial of life, refrigerator magnet, wallet card, Lakeside emergency phone numbers and a list of Spanish phrases to use in an emergency.
Cruz Roja Medical Information Kit workshops will be held at the Lake Chapala Society on September 18, October 8, October 23 and November 12, as well as by request for local social, religious and neighborhood groups. Advance registration is required and the class size is limited. To register for a workshop or to schedule a special workshop for your group, email Colleen Beery, volunteer CR instructor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Tech classes at LCS
Michael Goss teaches tech classes Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m. for LCS members.
Sign up for classes by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• September 19: Cellphones in Mexico.
• September 26: Introduction to Facebook.
Every Thursday, noon to 2 p.m., Technical Help Desk for phones, laptops, tablets, TV questions, cell phone operations, email and everything else tech.
LCS bus trip
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) takes a bus trip to Galerias Mall Thursday, September 19. The mall features anchor stores Liverpool, Best Buy and Sanborns and many specialty stores including Gap, C&A, Tommy Hilfiger, The Body Shop, Radio Shack, Mac Store, H&M and more.
Check the LCS office or website to sign up and learn the departure times and cost of the trips. Registration and payment can now be made online at lakechapalasociety.com.
Plant and garden sale
Vivero La Esperanza nursery, a project of Poco a Poco servicing the pueblos of the San Pedro Itzican area and San Juan Tecomatlan, is hosting its first Plant and Garden Sale at the Garden Center in Riberas del Pilar, Saturday, September 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jewelry and knitted items produced by the local Women’s Jewelry Collective Project and the Women’s Knitting Projects of San Pedro Itzican will also be on sale. The Brigadista Traditional Dance Troupe from San Pedro Itzican will perform an opening ritual dance ceremony at noon.
See pocoapocosanpedro.com and fcoandbradsmexicotravels.blogspot.com for more information.
Inspirational festival
Water, Light and Hope is the name of the inspirational festival that will be held Saturday, October 5, 4 to 10 p.m., at Chapala’s Cristiania Park. The highlight of the event will be a mass after-dark release of floating lanterns in Lake Chapala’s waters. The entrance price, ranging from 50 pesos for general admission to 700 pesos for the VIP zone, includes a complete kit to arm and decorate a cube-shaped lantern of biodegradable material, a small tea-light and a set of markers to inscribe personalized wishes and artistic designs.
On-site activities will include entertainment featuring local performers, a play area for children, a commercial exhibition section and a variety of food and drink stands.
Information: AguaLuzyEsperanza.com.
Insight Meditation
Wednesday, September 18, the meditation period will be followed by a reading and time for reflection and discussion. The selected reading is titled “Finding Sense In Sensation” and explores what the Buddha’s core teachings tell us about using bodily sensations to deepen our concentration and insight.
Registration is now open for a two-night residential meditation retreat September 17-19, at Santa Maria del Lago retreat center, 11 kilometers east of Chapala. DaeJa Napier will be the teacher in residence and will conduct the silent retreat.
DaeJa will offer talks at the meditation center in Ajijic Monday, September 16 and Friday, September 20, 3 to 5 p.m. The topic for Monday is “How to stay sane in a crazy world” and Friday’s offering is “Getting to Know DaeJa” with Q&A opportunities. These sessions do not require advance registration and all are welcome.
Information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; heartofawareness.com. The Heart of Awareness meditation center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101.