La Cruz theater
There is still time to volunteer for La Cruz’s community theater, the only one in the northshore.
Help is needed at the dinner/theater for front-of-house tasks and clearing tables on Tuesday, February 28 (evening), Wednesday, March 1 (evening), Sunday, March 5 (brunch), Tuesday, March 7 (evening), Wednesday, March 8 (evening).
The community theater also needs volunteers for promotional work this month, mostly distributing flyers and manning market booths. Times: Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Nuevo Vallarta market; Wednesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bucerias market; Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Puerto Vallarta old town market; and Sunday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at La Cruz market.
Volunteers may also be asked to place flyers on the windscreens of parked vehicles or distribute them in restaurants and shops.
Organizers say this year’s play is a “hilarious farce,” and the meal “scrumptious.”
If you can help this worthwhile community effort, contact Linda Randall at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Patricia Spencer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or www.amigosdelacruz.org.
Pet picnic
Dogs and humans, start preparing your outfits and tricks for this year’s Pet Picnic.
The event is set for Sunday, March 12, from 2-4 p.m. at the Abuelos de Bucerias Senior Center on Del Canal near the corner of Encino (across from the Lienzo Charro).
There will be contests for owners and pooches to participate in, including a pet parade, best tricks, owner-pet look-alike, picnic sweetheart and more – as well as a raffle.
In addition to sales of food and drinks, a large covered pavilion will provide plenty of space for socializing with other pets and owners.
Entry to the event is a suggested donation of 100 pesos. In return you will receive a “doggy bag” for your pet.
All proceeds go toward the Bucerias spay/neuter programs.
For more information, contact Sue Fornoff, 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..
Big wedding
On February 17, in the beautiful setting of the Marina de la Cruz de Huanacaxtle, 91 couples joined their lives in marriage, accompanied by Bahía de Banderas Mºayor José Gómez Pérez and his wife, Monserratt Peña de Gómez, president of the municipal Family Development Agency (DIF).
The annual Boda Colectiva (collective wedding) was open to all couples who wanted to get married without the usual cost.
After listening to the Epistle of Melchor Ocampo (a centuries-old marriage vow) given by the director of Civil Registry, the participants all declared “yes” in unison, immediately becoming husband and wife, thereby eliciting the applause of relatives and friends who came to witness this special moment.
The newly married couples received a certificate of their vows as well as a symbolic gift.
Gómez Pérez congratulated the newlyweds for having made the decision to legalize their relationship. “From today, find happiness, strength and family well-being alongside those who have decided to be your traveling companion in this world. Thank you for allowing us be part of this unforgettable moment,” he said.
Later, glasses were raised for the traditional toast and the festivities continued with the cutting of a cake.
Livestock fair
Municipal authorities, ejido leaders and livestock associations will be working hand-in-hand at the Regional Expo Ganadera Bahía in San José del Valle, from March 12 to 19.
Organizers expect to surpass attendance figures of the two past years and are especially keen to welcome Mexican and foreign tourists to the fair this year.
The expo seeks to promote economic development and showcase local agricultural and livestock activities. It used to be held annually until the mid-1990s, when it was dropped.
Reinstated under current Bahía de Banderas Mayor Jose Gomez Perez, the 2017 fair will be a family event offering displays of livestock, farm supplies, handicrafts, machinery and gastronomic exhibitions, including typical regional cuisine.
Different activities and shows will be scheduled daily. The cost of admission is 20 pesos for children and 40 pesos for adults.
A big attraction on Sunday, March 19 will be the raffling of a Nissan March using entry tickets. The winner must be present for the drawing that evening.
As in past years, guided visits will be given to students from invited schools and senior citizen clubs.
Marc Murphy, director of the local Conventions and Visitors Bureau (CVB), congratulated the organizers for scheduling such an important event to help spread knowledge about the traditions of the municipality.
Murphy said the CVB will provide information and publicity about the fair in English and Spanish to the hotels of Riviera Nayarit.
For a fun, traditional day/evening of fun and entertainment, visit this event at the sports complex in San Jose del Valle, a short drive or ride inland from the town of Mezcales.
Community Center
The first phase of the new Soriana del Mar Community Center in Punta de Mita has been completed. The space is being built to encourage community development through art, culture and education.
Lisa Schalla and Greg Stanton, the executive director and president of the Punta de Mita Foundation (FPM) Council, presided at a recent ceremony to inaugurate the work.
Also present were Bahía de Banderas Mayor José Gómez, Culture, Sports and Education chief Lourdes Ibarra Chiquete, plus a number of representatives of the Soriana and Comunalia Foundation (Alliance of Community Foundations of Mexico).
Parents, young children and teenagers present at the ceremony represented the main beneficiaries of the project.
The first phase includes bathrooms, a kitchen and a multi-purpose room. The second phase will include a garden area and a covered stage, as well as offices for the FPM.
Construction should be completed by the end of this summer, if donations continue to come in.
The next step is the formation of a committee made up of residents of Punta de Mita, who will develop program activities and priorities.