Confusion Surrounds Annual November 20 Parade Location
Tara A. Spears
Who doesn’t love a parade? Adorable children in period costumes, floats, marching bands, mounted cowboys and senoritas: spectacular small town fun. One of Mexico’s most interesting holidays is fast approaching. Mexico’s Revolution Day (Dia de la Revolucion) is a national public holiday that celebrates the 10-year revolution that began in 1910 to end the struggle against Dictator José Porfirio Diaz. The closing of banks, government offices and schools is observed on the official day of November 20 but many businesses will close for a 4 day weekend.
This year, due to the incomplete La Penita main street construction, various alternatives have been suggested including moving the event to Guayabitos. As of today, the parade is scheduled to begin in front of IMMS hospital to march over to the La Penita avenida to conclude at the La Penita Plaza. All of the area’s schools will participate. The youngest children, preschool age, lead the parade followed by the kindergartners, primary grades, middle school, and then high schools. Any further developments will be posted on Facebook.
I look forward to another creative, outstanding theme from the area vocational high school, Conalep. The vocational high school puts a lot of effort into making wonderful exhibits.
Interspersed in between all the marching children in costume there are decorated floats. The 2017 parade had the best floats, ever! The parade theme celebrated the 100 anniversary of our state, Nayarit, with absolutely stunning displays. There is no way they can top last year! The float illustrated the early people of the area preparing food: an actual fire roasting meat while students made tortillas-amazing accuracy and it smelled devine.
Due to the volume of participants the parade runs for hours. Don’t plan on driving the main street from before 9 am until at least 12:00. The positive side of this is that if you don’t want to spend the entire morning enjoying the sights, you can wiggle in a portion. After all the kids, senior group and politicos march past, the local caballeros prance down the street on their magnificent horses. Sometimes there is a very talented roper who can really twirl that twine!
If all the action on the street isn’t enough, you can always people watch! The Jaltemba Bay Revolution parade is lovely custom that you don’t want to miss.