{reg}The economic, public security and health crises that have troubled Mexico over recent months won’t deter local folks from whooping it up at the lakeshore area Independence Day festivities coming up in the next few days.
Ajijic traditions
Ajijic will be the hotbed for traditional Fiestas Patrias fun, beginning Saturday, September 12 with the popular exhibition of paper hot air balloons at the Cruz Azul soccer field located on Calle Revolucion opposite Salvador’s Restaurant, starting around 3 p.m.
Equestrians will be in fine form Sunday, September 13 to celebrate the Dia del Charro. The customary mounted parade will start at 1 p.m., immediately after noon services at the San Andres church. The parade route starts at the church gates, following Calle Hidalgo to Seis Esquinas, and looping back to the Lienzo Charro via Ocampo-Constitucion. A complete Charreada rodeo follows at the Lienzo, 3 p.m., with horsemen competing in the ten customary tests of riding and roping skills called Suertes Charros. The female sector will be represented by the Escaramuza El Vergel riders – current national juvenile champions – who can be expected to wow spectators with a lightning-speed sidesaddle drill team routine.
Another colorful event the public loves is the annual fashion parade featuring the styles and customs linked to the use of classic women’s accessory, the rebozo shawl. The event is slated for September 13, 6 p.m., at the town square. A live mariachi band and singer Lupita Jimenez will round out the evening’s program.
Gritos celebrations
Commemoration of the 199th anniversary of the nation’s struggle to gain freedom from Spanish rule will peak around 11 p.m. Tuesday, September 15 with reenactments of Miguel Hidalgo’s Grito de Independencia, to be held at the steps of Chapala city hall and the central plazas in Ajijic and Jocotepec. Crowds will gather beforehand at all those locations for live entertainment to juice up the patriotic spirit.
Chapala has lined up the Ballet Guadalupano folk dance group for an 8 p.m. appearance, followed by amateur singers belting out Mexican tunes, 9 p.m., and the 10 p.m. arrival of the Patriotic Torch carried from the cradle of Independence in Guanajuato by a local team of relay runners. The celebration continues after the Grito with a dance party around the Pescadores Fountain.
September 15 activities at the Ajijic plaza begin at 4 p.m. with a greased pole climbing contest and other traditional games enjoyed equally by local youngsters and adult spectators. Entertainment by a live mariachi band, amateur singers and the Ballet Folklorico Xicantzy cranks up at 8 p.m., preceding the Grito ceremony and customary town dance.
Music and dance acts will be presented at the Jocotepec plaza, starting from 7 p.m. and continuing unabated into the wee hours. Relay runners from the CETAC technical school are expected to arrive with the Torch of Independence at 8 p.m., followed by a traditional torch parade around the square.
September 16 parades
September 16 will be marked in all three towns by the customary Independence Day civic parades.
The Chapala parade route runs the full length of Avenida Francisco Madero, starting from the south end, 9 a.m. Events scheduled later in the day include a bicycle race starting at the plaza, 11 a.m., a beach soccer tournament at the water front kicking off at Noon, and greased pole climbing for kids, 6 p.m., at the plaza.
Jocotepec’s parade starts at 9 a.m., running along the town’s main thoroughfares.
The Ajijic parade starts from the west end of La Floresta, 10 a.m., following Calle Constitucion-Ocampo to Seis Esquinas and turning back to the plaza via Calle Hidalgo. Village beauty queens will be back at the town square at 8:30 p.m. to shower holiday celebrants with confetti and flowers in the traditional Combate de Flores.
Newcomers should keep in mind that the starting times listed for all these activities are approximate and subject to unannounced delays. Those who are sensitive to noise, especially loud music, might opt for staying at home unless they are game to going with the festive flow. Traffic snarls and detours can be expected while many of the holiday activities are in progress.
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