Atotonilquillo, Chapala’s distant satellite community, is set to revive the annual Expo Membrillo country fair on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, coming back from a two-year postponement caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event showcasing products derived from the summer harvest of local quince orchards will be preceded by three days of cultural activities.
The Semana Cultural starts Wednesday, August 10, 6 p.m. with an inaugural parade ending at the plaza featuring the presentation of Señiorita Expo Membrillo 2022. Live music and folkdance performances will take place August 11 from 11 a.m. at the plaza. This year’s monarch will be crowned the following evening.
The 29th edition of the quince fair runs daily August 13 and 14, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., featuring a sales exhibition of a wide array of quince-based taste treats produced by local cottage industries. Fruit filled turnovers, pies and other pastries, frozen desserts, quince-flavored cordials and non-alcoholic beverages, and variations of the classic dense quince paste called ate or cajeta de membrillo will be displayed in stalls ringing the central square. Culinary contests with quince used as a key ingredient in innovative recipes will be held around midday on Sunday.
Atotonilquillo is located adjacent to the Ocotlán-La Barca highway about 45 kilometers south east of Guadalajara, and 11 kilometers beyond the Santa Rosa overpass connecting with the roadway out of Chapala. A visit to the town also affords opportunities to explore nearby orchards and the historic ruins of the San Gaspar chapel.