Carnaval Mazatlan

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The first few days of Carnaval 2014

Carnaval is always so much fun.  This year has been amazing, as the city has absorbed so many visitors, and many of them are from Durango, taking advantage of the new highway. At the top of this post you see the effigy of Lucero, the Mexican singer and actress who enjoys hunting and killing animals and then posing with their corpses.  Some reports have said she has shot endangered species.  So I think she was a great choice for the...

A Carnaval Preview…

What a fun surprise we had last night. While eating dinner in Olas Altas along came several trucks with pieces of the floats for Carnaval. Take a look, below. (As always on YouTube, click the gear icon at the bottom and you can choose HD for a better picture.)...

Getting Ready for Carnaval in Mazatlán

  We all start getting Carnaval fever when we start seeing the large statues go up along the malecon, and the first few were installed yesterday.  Then this morning on my walk I saw them installing one that seems to be of Che Guevara playing the guitar. (picture above) In the same picture you’ll also see someone installing what I think is a guy wire into the palm tree. I’m not sure what all of the rest of the statues...

Mazatlán’s 2013 Carnaval Statues

One of the things I look forward to the most at Carnaval time is the excitement of the set up and election of Carnaval royalty.Even if you don’t attend the coronations you’ll likely enjoy a fabulous fireworks show at the conclusion of the show. Last week’s election of the King of Joy and the Child Queen had an incredible fireworks show that we enjoyed watching from home! The monigotes along the malecón are another big treat. This year’s theme is...

Mazatlan’s 2012 Carnival – The First Parade

Mazatlán’s first Carnaval parade was yesterday evening, and Paul and I were woefully unprepared.  We knew enough to skip the early part of the parade, which is all the commercial floats by Pacifico, the radio stations, etc. and all the big bus companies drive their big busses through with women throwing candy from the roof. That part leaves the Fisherman’s Monument heading North at about 4:30 pm. But we didn’t think enough about how crowded it would be.  You really...

Mazatlan’s Carnival – Burning of Bad Humor & Naval Combat fireworks

Another night, another Carnival event!  What fun! We headed out to see the Burning of Bad Humor this year – our first time actually making it on time!  The victim this year was Platanito, the comedian who wasn’t funny.  The link on his name goes to an article about his tasteless and painful comments, but he basically referred to the children who died in a daycare fire as “Kentucky Fried Children.”  In my opinion, he was a great choice.  In...

Mazatlan’s Carnival 2012 – Friday night at Olas Altas

Paul and I headed out to find some dinner and then check out what was going on at Carnival down at Olas Altas.  The big variety show headlining Filippa Giordano was at the baseball stadium, but there was plenty going on at Olas Altas for us!  Here is another photo tour of our evening, and there are a couple of videos, too.  Enjoy!                         Below is a video of...

Mazatlán’s Carnaval – setting up

Paul and I walked down to Olas Altas this morning to see how Carnaval was getting set up.  I thought you might like to go on a little tour with us.                           Click here for a picture and explanation of the laser aquatic show.  (text in Spanish)     This morning there were only the two stages set up in Olas Altas, I imagine they will be working...

Mazatlán’s Carnaval – at the Plazuela Machado

Carnaval events take place throughout the city, with the coronations at the baseball stadium, the parades along the malecón, fireworks at Olas Altas and along the malecón and the street party in Olas Altas.  But there are plenty of Carnaval decorations and events other places, too. The Plazuela Machado has a gigantic silver sculpture in one corner.  In another corner a stage was being set up this afternoon.  The kiosko is decorated with Carnaval flair – Pacifico style. The malecón...

Here Comes Mazatlán’s Carnaval 2012

The theme for Mazatlán’s Carnaval celebration this year is The Empires Celebration. The empires of France, Russia, Rome, and China will be represented by Carnaval royalty. Carnaval celebrations begin on February 16 and run through February 21. Today they were still working on erecting four large monos along the malecón. These huge paper maché figures represent the four empires. Here’s a nice schedule of events for Carnaval 2012. They have been installing lighting and electrical conduit for the various stages....

A Wonderful Mazatlán Carnaval…

It’s been a wonderful Carnaval here in Mazatlán.  Last year was the pits, so we all were hopeful that this year would be a good one. The new mayor and governor were determined that it would be peaceful, well attended, and organized.  We think they succeeded. The theme this year was “The Return of the Muses.” Along the length of the malecon many statues like the one above were placed, as well as in significant spots throughout Centro – like...

Peace, please.

Ever since the panic at the Tuesday Carnaval parade I have been thinking about the illegal drug business and how I feel about my personal security and our home in Mazatlán. Those of you that keep up on the Mazatlán news will know that there has been a very real change around here recently.  A person was shot at point blank in broad daylight a few weeks ago.  Not way off in a remote colonia, either.  It was on Rafael...

Carnaval ends with a sigh.

Carnaval finished this year with a whimper or a sigh.  I’ll tell more at the end of this post.  But here are a few pictures that I thought you’d like to see… and I also want to encourage you to go to Mexico at Last and read this post about last Saturday night.  Paul and I shared the evening with them and I love the pictures they took of the crowds we encountered on our way home from the fireworks...

Where was I, now?

Wow, that was kind of unusual for me, to go missing in action for a whole week.  But it has been a busy week, primarily with Carnaval activities but also with knitting, and hanging out, and sleeping in, and other decadent Carnaval week pursuits.  Around here, nothing, and I mean nothing gets done during Carnaval week except partying and sleeping.  Government offices, most small stores, civic projects, and schools are closed. I plan on getting back in the blogging zone...

Gearing up for Carnaval!

The city is busy with preparations for Carnaval… it starts Thursday, and if the artwork around Centro is any indication, it is going to be an especially good time this year!  Here is a link to my Carnaval 2010 gallery – I will keep adding photos as I take them so come back here or go to the menu bar at the top and click on Photos to see what’s new....