Sporadic rainfall did nothing to deter attendance or dampen two years of pent up patriotic spirits for lakeside inhabitants eager to take part in the Independence eve festivities held on Thursday, September 15.
Chapala Mayor Alejandro Aguirre broke new ground by presiding at the Grito ceremonies programmed in tandem that night at the plazas in Atotonilquillo and Ajijic, finally making it to the steps of Chapala’s San Francisco church nearly an hour behind schedule. He again led the belated chorus of ¡Viva México¡ shouts in San Antonio Tlayacapan on Sunday, September 18.
In Jocotepec, Mayor José Miguel Gómez headed up the traditional candlelight procession around the plaza to initiate Thursday’s festivities before ascending to the town hall balcony for the Grito.
A special feature of the evening was the arrival of the Fuego Patrio, carried all the way from the Alhóndiga de Granaditas in the city of Guanajuato by a squad of runners from the Cetac technological school. They were accompanied to the plaza by scores of fellow torch-bearing students to cap off the two-day trek, culminating the 20th anniversary of Cetac’s relay of the patriotic flame.
The Chapala government also sent a team of runners to Guanajuato to represent the municipal seat and its satellite communities in bringing home the flame for its Grito observances.
Despite partying that went on into the wee hours, school kids, their families and crowds of spectators were up and about early Friday, September 16 for the Día de Independencia parades in the main localities. Collateral activities continued throughout the rest of the day.