Thrills, chills and more than a few spills await folks attending Chapala’s Carnaval bash where an outdoor ice skating rink will stand out as a major attraction during the 12-day celebration.
Ice rinks set up temporarily at different venues in the Guadalajara metro area have been a big hit with the public in recent years. Chapala is now the first community outside the city to pick up on the trend.
Setting up the 30 by 10 meter ice slab inside the fairgrounds at La Cristiania Park has been a huge undertaking that got under way early this week. The process has involved ground leveling, installation of special materials and an electric transformer big enough to provide juice to 200 homes, and finally pouring massive amounts of water that takes several days to fully freeze. If all goes right, the rink will be ready for action this weekend.
The facility has capacity for 120 skaters to take the ice together for 25-minute sessions. It will be open to the public from 4 to 11 p.m. on weekdays, and noon onward on Saturdays and Sundays. Free entry and the loan of skates is included with payment of general admission to the fairgrounds, set at 25 pesos for adults, 15 for kids on weekdays, or 30 and 20 pesos respectively on the weekends. The facility will be kept in place through the weekend following the February close of the festivities
Local schools have been invited to make morning appointments for student groups to take to the ice. According to the local buzz, some Canadian expats are offering time to coach local youngsters on skating basics and even cook up small scale ice hockey matches for experienced skaters. For more details, interested persons may contact Pedro Kertesz, telephone 765-7567 or cellular 331-360-8181.
More family fun
Carnaval 2013 has been planned with a special focus on plenty of free entertainment and wholesome activity for families, all included in the admission price. Shows featuring sea lions and wild birds are scheduled every evening at 7 and 9 p.m., with 4 p.m. performances added on the weekends. The cultural program offers a wide range of music, dance and theatrical acts going on stage at the Teatro del Pueblo Amphitheater every night, 8 p.m. with extra performances set for February 8 and 10, 6 p.m.
Traditional events that are integral to the community’s feverish “farewell to pleasures of the flesh” will measure up at the opposite end of the temperature scale. 
The festivities heat up Friday, February 1 with a rollicking samba parade along Avenida Madero, starting at 7 p.m., immediately followed by the fiery Entierro del Mal Humor (burial of bad humor). A big Mardi Gras style parade, with floats, music, dance troupes, horses and more, will trail down the main avenue on Sunday, February 10, 11 a.m.
Music & Dancing
Big dances with live banda style music are a signature of Chapala’s annual Mardi Gras blow-out. The big name groups on the bill for this year are Banda Carnaval, opening on February 1; Chuy Lizarraga coming February 8; and Komander and Banda MS playing back to back for the February 12 finale. Tickets must be purchased to enter these events. Less renowned banda groups will appear at free shows set for February 2, 9, and 11.
Other musical genres are offered to satisfy diverse tastes. Electro Fest – set for February 3, 6 p.m., admission at 50 pesos – will have several guest DJs spinning sounds.
Hard rock bands will appear at the Rock Fest, February 5, 8 p.m., with free entry. The Mariachi Vargas and Sonora Chocolate cumbia band will appear at the Carnaval Queen Pageant and Coronation, February 6, 9 p.m., admission 150 pesos. The Baile del Recuerdo, set for February 10, 8 p.m., 50 pesos, will feature romantic music set to a Latino dance beat.
Special Events
A Lucha Libre wrestling match is slated for Monday, February 4, 7 p.m., free of charge. The fifth annual Bikini Car Fest – with scantily clad models showing off a display of classic cars – will be held Sunday, February 10, from 10 a.m., with a 50-peso entry fee for adults, 20 pesos for kids.
Carnaval also brings a series of Jaripeos to the Lienzo Charro arena, opposite the Pemex station at the north entrance to town. Bull riding and roping contests, juiced up by live banda music, are slated for February 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 4 p.m. Admission is free on all dates except February 10.