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Celebrated the week before Ash Wednesday and normally lasting a little less than a week, Carnival in Mexico has a long tradition that goes back the nineteenth century. Carnavale from the Latin word which means € œgoodbye the flesh, Â € Carnival refers to the week before Lent (Cuaresma) where carefree abandonment and indulgence are encouraged.
Beauty Queens and Burning Moods, what else can you ask?
Kick-off begins with the burning of El Mal Humor (bad mood), in which an effigy, usually modeled after an unpopular politician of the day was hanged and burned, followed by a flurry of confetti and fireworks. This gives rise to nearly a week of festivities in some Mexico € ™ s most popular coastal towns, including Campeche, Mazatlan, Veracruz and Merida, just to name a few.
The host cities to celebrate all sorts of parades daily, depending on the local carnival € ™ s Theme, which differs from region to region. Parades display an array of decorative floats inspired by Mexican scenery and normally featuring bright flowers and entertainment. Some parades require entry fee, and visitors are encouraged to obtain tickets for the parade as soon as they can through the tourist office or hotel.
Mexpipe Challenge Surf Carnival, February 16-20
For the first time a surf carnival was added this year Zacatela beach in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. This festival with a relaxed atmosphere of Woodstock-like atmosphere will take place on the beach and will DJS, a parade fashion, parties and electronic dance break dance competition and so much surfing in the Pacific Ocean.
Men and women can compete in competitions of surfing and enjoy the many festivities offered in conjunction with the carnival. The Grand Carnival Parade takes place on Tuesday the 20th, followed by a costume contest and an awards ceremony at Town Hall.
Mazatlan € "February 8-20
Mazatlan, home to the third largest Carnival celebration in the world after those in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, attracts more than 400,000 people each year. From February 8 to 20, fans thrill fill malec ³ n (Oceanside Drive) along downtown € ™ s Ollas Altas beach, singing and dancing along the roving bands mariachi. You can also regional Banda Sinaloense taken with great brass and rock bands who put up along the road.
The Gourmets can enjoy open air culinary festivals in the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) and Machado Plaza. Prominent dishes on hand include the famous N ¡mazatl zarandeado pescado (grilled fish), camarones con mango (mango shrimp) and ahumado Marlan (smoked marlin). After enjoying the fresh seafood, Ollas Atlas port offers a unique offshore fireworks presentation February 17 representing a naval battle Mock, to commemorate the 1864 victory of Mazatlan on the French navy.
Veracruz â € "February 13 to 21
Known for its Afro-Caribbean-influenced culture, the port city of Veracruz on the Gulf Mexico hosts the Carnival-second largest in the country. Parade spectators can expect to see Dracula, drag queens and women in sparkling dresses dancing to Destination infectious Caribbean / Spanish rhythms along Miguel Avila Camacho Boulevard. Groups of dance in the nearby villages of peacock and pheasant-hairstyles feathers. A must during Carnival in Veracruz is dancing! Visitors should not miss the chance to dance to the Zocalo, or central square. Salsa, cumbia, reggae and marimba are popular, but Jarochos (people from Veracruz) hold a special place in their heart for music and dance known as Danzon, who arrived from Cuba in 1880. For live music, visit the zocalo and / or on the Malecon February 21, featuring Mexican artists.
And when they do not dance, there € ™ nothing like sitting on the banks of the river Jamapa in the nearby town of Boca del Rio and enjoying succulent grilled Huachinango (snapper), or vuelve a la vida (Veracruz cocktail style seafood, a drug well known, the hangover) at market prices.
Cozumel â € "February 14-21
Recognized as one of the most popular festivals in the Mexican Caribbean, Cozumel has commemorated this pre-Lent celebration nearly 100 years bringing Carnaval to life in an exciting explosion of color and music. Cozumel € ™ s unique celebration includes a variety characters in period costume, such as Harlequins, rumba dancers, Spaniards, gypsy women, fairies, princesses, bullfighters and kings and queens that can be spotted during the week.
This carnival is also considered a family-friendly version of the holiday and begins with the coronation of the Emperor and Empress and the King and Queen of Carnival. As the week progresses and the momentum builds, Iceland € ™ s celebration continues with colorful parades, street fairs, night and day of musical performances and dancing in the streets of downtown San Miguel.
Meridaâ € "February 14-21
Yucatan peninsulae € ™ s capital city of Merida is one of many cities that celebrate Carnival, with this year s ™ € centered on a theme € € OETH Circus. Since 1980, people celebrate the Yucatan walking a ocelli Jacarandoso €, â € a popular character who was king of the Carnival and annually displays the most colorful costumes and fun. The Monday during Carnival week, the ladies Don dresses hand embroidered guayabera and gentlemen sparkling white, dress shirts typical of the region.
Other important carnival destinations in Mexico include Ensenada, Baja California, Guaymas, along the Sea of Cortez in Sonora; Tepic, Nayarit and Chamula, Chiapas, said be one of the most indigenous festivals in the country.
About Tourism in Mexico
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations International. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico € ™ s tourism promotion agency, and counts among its members of private and public sectors. The bike has offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
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Erick LASEC
Mexico Tourism Board
312-228-0517 x14
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About the Author:
Erick Laseca works for Burson-Marsteller as public relations liaison for the Mexico Tourism Board in Chicago.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Mexico’s Carnival, Fiesta Forever! It’s More Than Just Beads…
Salvador Dali `TIME` of a Surrealist.
