National pride and playful spirits will boil up over the coming week as the Lake Chapala area shifts gears for a series of traditional Fiestas Patrias events, culminating with the September 16 commemoration of Independence Day. Here’s an abbreivated day-by-day list of holiday highlights.
Saturday, September 8
- Regatta de Globos paper balloon exhibition, 3 p.m., Cruz Azul Soccer field, Calle Revoulcion at Guadalupe Victoria, Ajijic.
- Ballet Folklorico Pueblo Magico performs regional dances, 6 p.m., Plaza La Vela, Chapala Malecon.
Sunday, September 9
- Ajijic Charro horsemen celebrate, with Noon mass at San Andres Church, followed by equestrian parade through town and equestrian chicken races and calf riding games, 4 p.m., Ajijic bullring.
- Jocotepec charros hold chicken races, 4 p.m., beach area at the Malecon.
- Rebozo Use and Customs fashion parade, 6 p.m., Ajijic plaza; Fiestas Patrias beauty pageant and coronation dance follow from 9 p.m.
- Serenata, traditional music by the Chavo Luna band, 8 p.m., Chapala Plaza bandstand.
Wednesday, September 12
- Concert, 8 p.m., San Francisco Church, Chapala.
Thursday, September 13
- Niños Heroes Commemoration, school kids reenact legendary defense of Chapultepec Castle, 9 a.m., at monument opposite Chapala Palacio Municipal.
- Ballet Fololorico DIF Chapala & Cantos y Redes Chorus perform, 7:40 p.m., outside San Francisco Church after evening service.
Friday, September 14
- Chapala Dia del Charro parade, 11 a.m., from north end of Avendia Madero to the waterfront. Charreada rodeo, 4 p.m., Lienzo Charro, Avenida Madero opposite Pemex station.
- Hawaiian dance group & singer Felipe Morales “El Chapalense” perform, 7:40 p.m., outside Chapala’s San Francisco Church.
Saturday, September 15
- Grito celebration Ajijic plaza: Traditional games for kids, from 4 p.m.; Martial arts exhibition, 6 p.m.; live entertainment, from 8 p.m.; Grito ceremony, 11 p.m., followed by fireworks and town dance.
- Grito Celebration Chapala: Baile Folklorico, Ensamble Latino, Mariachi and other live entertainment, from 7 p.m., Fuente de Pescadores stage, Avenida Madero at Paseo Ramon Corona; Grito ceremony, 10:45, at Palacio Municipal, followed by fireworks and musical show back at the main stage.
- Grito celebration Jocotepec: Flame of Independence in a relay along Chapala highway, arriving at the plaza around, 7 p.m.; followed by torch-lit parade, live entertainment, Señorita Jocotepec Coronation, 11 p.m. Grito ceremony, fireworks and festivity.
Sunday, September 16
- Independence Day Chapala: Civic parade, 9 a.m., starts at south end of Avenida Madero, looping back to city hall building; Greased pole and other traditional games, 4 p.m., Chapala beach opposite Beer garden; Serenata traditional music by the Chavo Luna band, 8 p.m., Plaza bandstand.
- Independence Day Ajijic: Fishing tournament at the waterfront, from 8 a.m.; civic parade, 10 a.m., from east end of Calle Constitucion-Ocampo, turning at Seis Esquinas, ending at the plaza; Toros bull riding & banda, 4 p.m, at the bullring; Soccer match, 4 p.m., Campo 1 pitch, Calle Revolucion at Constitucion; Combate de Flores, 8:30 p.m., beauty queens roam the plaza showering spectators with flower petals and confetti.
- Independence Day Jocotepec, 9 a.m. flag ceremony at the plaza, followed by civic parade running on Calles Hidalgo, Juarez, Matamoros, Morelos, Independencia and back to Hidalgo; Charro equestrian parade, 4 p.m., Calle Independencia to the Malecon.