Monday, November 18 is a national holiday commemorating the Mexican Revolution. Government offices and banks close for the occasion, reopening for normal business hours on the following day. As mandated under federal labor laws, full- and part-time domestic workers and other salaried employees are entitled to a day off with full pay.
Traditional Revolution Day parades scheduled for next week will showcase squads of school kids winding along central thoroughfares dressed up to impersonate rebble troops, riding on motorized floats that depict historical scenes and political figures of the era, or pausing at designated points to perform synchronized routines and athletic stunts. Marching bands and charro equestrians round out the patriotic cavalcades that will delight spectators with a bounty of colorful “Kodak” moments.
The biggest parade will be in downtown Guadalajara on November 18, starting at 10 a.m. from the Agua Azul park, and heading up Avenida 16 de Septiembre as far as La Normal glorieta.
Chapala will hold its Revolution desfile on Monday, November 18, 9 a.m., starting from Paseo Ramon Corona for a full loop around Avenida Francisco Madero. Ajijic and Jocotepec will stick with the old custom of parading on November 20 (the actual Revolution Day).
The Ajijic route starts 9 a.m. at the west end of La Floresta, following Calle Constitucion-Ocampo to Seis Esquinas, to double back toward the plaza along Hidalgo.
Jocotepec’s celebration kicks off with a flag ceremony at the town square, 9 a.m., immediately followed by the parade snaking through the center of town.
Motorists are advised that traffic along main thoroughfares will blocked a couple of hours will the parades are underway.