SAVAGE TURTLES

January

Place: Lo de Villa.

Event: Day of “El Senor de la Expiracion”.

When: Second Tuesday of January.

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This is a traditional pilgrimage from the town of Coquimatlan to Lo de Villa. Thousands of worshipers join in the pilgrimage to pay their respects to the “Senor de la Expiracion”, expressing their gratitude through dances and prayer. Every Tuesday.

Place: Ixtlahuacan.

Event: Festival of “Los Santos Reyes”.

When: 5th and 6th of January.

This is the most primitive annual event in the region. The inhabitants of Ixtlahuacan disguise themselves with sacks and masks and turn into “Chacayates”that dance through town to the beating of a drum, in search of Baby Jesus.

Place: Tecoman.

Event: Festival of “La Virgen de la Candelaria”.

When: From the 26th of January to the 4th February.

During the festival there are pilgrimages with allegorical floats preceded by groups of dancers, musical groups and fireworks. The Tecoman Fair is held jointly with the religious festival, and has craft, commercial, industrial, agricultural and livestock exhibitions. There are also cultural events and contests.

February

Place: Villa de Alvarez.

Event: Festival of “San Felipe de Jesus” Festejos Charrotaurinos.

When: 15 days before the week of Ash Wednesday.

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This festival is celebrated with charro competitions, bullfights and horseback of Colima to Villa de Alvarez, with the riders preceded by huge effigies called “Mojigangos”. At 1pm, any amateur bullfighter can test his skill in the “Toro de Once” in the Plaza. There are also “recibimientos” which consist of a committee comprised of charros, mariachis, pipers, bands and “mojigangos” made of reed and paper, with the parade ending in “Petatera”, the bullring that is built every year from wooden posts and straw mats.

Place: Manzanillo.

Event: Annual Fair, Manzanillo’s Carnival.

When: Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

This fair is famous for its parades, contests and mask dances, as well as for the musical groups and dancers that move through the streets in the sumptuous and eye-catching costumes. It is a very colourful and lively ‘fiesta’.

Place: Manzanillo.

Event: National Sailfish Tournament.

When: First week of February.

Held annually. Competitions for sailfish, marlin and dorado. Entry is open to the general public. The tournament is organized by the Club Deportivo de Pesca Manzanillo, A.C.

March

Place: Ixtlahuacan.

Event: Melon Fair.

When: Seven days prior to Holy Week.

This events includes exhibitions, handcrafts, art festivals and rides.

April

Place: All of Mexico.

Event: Semana Santa (the week before Good Friday) and Semana Pascua (the week after Good Friday).

For 2009: 6th to 17th April.

Everyone in Mexico goes to church during these two weeks and it is also vacation time with everyone going to the beach. This means in Colima state the Pacific beaches of Cuyutlan, El Chupadero, Playa de Oro, El Faro, La Bocita, Pascuales, El Real, Santiago and El Paraiso are all very lively with Mexicans and tourists alike.

May

Place: Manzanillo.

Event: May Festival.

When: From 1st to10th May.

This is a commercial, agricultural, livestock, industrial and tourist fair. There are regattas and swimming competitions, and an exhibition of the products of the fair.

June

Place: Lo de Villa.

Event: Blessing of the Animals.

When: First Sunday of June.

During this festival, adults and children from the community bring their grain, tractors and animals to the church of El Senor de la Expiracion, to have them blessed by the priest.

September

Place: All of Mexico.

Event: Independence Day.

When: 15th and 16th September.

This is the commemoration of the Mexican Revolution and the country’s independence. In the main square of every city, town and village in Mexico the people celebrate these two days with fireworks, speeches, dancing, tequila, mariachis and typical Mexican food.

October

Place: Cuauhtemoc.

Event: Festival of San Rafael Arcangel.

When: From 10th to 24th October.

There are daily horseback processions, “Toro de Once” bullfights for amateurs, processions known as “recibimientos”, cockfights, dances, concerts, bullfights, fireworks and rides. All in a festive atmosphere that welcomes both locals and tourists.

November

Place: Colima.

Event: All Saints Fair.

When: From the last Saturday of October to the second Sunday of November.

This is the main fair within the state and the areas just across the borders of Jalisco and Michoacan. It dates from 1826. In 1934 it was renamed the Regional Agricultural, Livestock, Commercial, Craft and Industrial Fair. At present, it is held in its own fairground, and annexed to Nino’s Heroes Park – at km4 on the Colima-La Estancia Highway, with areas for rides, restaurants, variety shows and open-air theatre and the “Palenque”. Cultural and recreational events are held daily.

Place: Manzanillo.

Event: International Sailfish Tournament.

When: First or second week of November.

All sport fishers can participate in this tournament by registering in advance with the Organising Committee of the Club Pesca de Manzanillo, A.C. Prizes are awarded for the first three places in the categories of sailfish, marlin and dorado.

Place: Manzanillo.

Event: Cumbia, Salsa and Merengue Festival.

When: Second fortnight of November.

Where artists and musical groups from Cuba, Colombia, Argentina, Dominican Republic, United States and Mexico perform for three days.

December

Place: Colima and its nine municipalities.

Event: Festival of “Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe”.

When: From the 4th to 12th December.

During this religious festival, men, women and children wear traditional Colima indigenous clothing. This is when the dark virgin receives the homage of thousands of believers who make the pilgrimage to her altar with songs, prayers and dances. It is the custom in the Colima Cathedral to attend the tradition “Mananitas”or birthday song for the virgin in the early morning of December 12th; it is accompanied by mariachi music and the festive joy of the people attending.