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| Parade March 2011 |
Sequins, balloons, skimpy costumes, tropical-coloured feathers and the thumping beat of salsa music – it is Carnival time in Mexico. We love this time of year, with 5 days of impromptu parades and dance competitions all over the island. Traffic stops! All the dancers pile out of a friend’s pickup and the music cranks up!
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| Got the moves! |
The group will do a fifteen minute routine, pile back into the pickup and head off to the next stop. Everyone from the smallest kindergarten kid to the oldest grandmother knows the moves.
This year we have two big events overlapping during the next eight days. First up is the 3rd Annual Island Time Fishing Tournament and Country Music Festival starting Tuesday February 14th and ending Saturday February 18th. Check the website for the details http://www.islandtimefishingfestival.com/ This fabulous event features performances by music legends such as Phil Vassar, Craig Wiseman, Dallas Davidson, Rodney Clawson, Brett James, Tim Nichols, Tim Norman, Jon Stone and EG Kight.
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| Phil Vassar February 2011 at Jax Bar & Grill |
Then starting Friday February 17th the kick-off for Carnival starts with the Coronation of the various kings and queens, leading into an-all night party and dance that will continue until dawn.
Here are some of the events listed on Tourism Isla FaceBook page:
Friday February 17th - 8:30 p.m. Coronation ceremony for kings and queens starting with the youngest and working up to the famous.
Friday February 17th - 11:30 p.m. Coronation dance continues until dawn
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| Queen and King of Carnival 2010 |
Saturday February 18th - noon to 5:00 p.m. music and activities on the public beach near Jax's Bar and Grill
Saturday February 18th - 5:00 p.m. start of 1st parade near Jax Bar and Grill at the north end of the island, near the fisherman's statue.
Saturday February 18th - 8:00 p.m. Noche de Fantasia at the Municipal Plaza in Centro
Saturday February 18th - 11:00 p.m. to dawn, dance at the Municipal Plaza
Sunday February 19th - noon to 5:00 p.m. music and activities on the public beach near Jax Bar and Grill
Sunday February 19th - 5:00 p.m. 2nd parade same route, same time - probably featuring different dance groups as each group must stop and perform for judges at the reviewing stands
Sunday February 19th - 8:00 p.m. Noche de Cubano in Centre, Dance competitions
Sunday February 19th - 11:00 p.m. Presentation de Show in Centre
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| Carnival Parade March 2011 |
Monday February 20th - a number of impromptu dance demonstrations at various locations on Isla
Monday February 20th - Noche Regional Caribena, 8:00 p.m. dancing and 10:00 p.m. comedy.
Tuesday February 21st - 5:00 p.m. 3rd parade same route, same time - probably featuring different dance groups as each group must stop and perform for judges at the reviewing stands which can make for a very slow, but interesting parade.
Tuesday February 21st - in the afternoon Negrada, Black Face and different costumes for dancers gathering at Municipal hall around 9:00 p.m.
Grande Finale Tuesday February 21st - 11:30 p.m. church services, and around midnight burning of the effigy of Juan de Carnaval in Centre
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| Carnival Parade March 2011 |
You may have noticed I use the words "approximately" and "around" when listing starting times. The times are just a suggestion!
This is Mexico. The events are fabulous, however they seldom start on time.
Relax. Enjoy the sounds, sights, smells.
Isn't that why you are here?
2 comments:
I was on Isla for Carnival in 2008 & had a blast. Hope to be there for it again sometime soon--we ususally just miss it. Thanks for sharing some photos!
Ola, We were just there for a week and really enjoyed the festival. I forgot my camera so I hope you don't mind I added a link to your blog as you took such great shots!
Sandy
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