Fri 7 - Sat 15
Cock Tournament
It's not for the squeamish, but cock fighting, like the bull-riding
jaripeos, are part and parcel of fiesta festivities on the coast. This
particular tournament is the biggest in the region, richest in prize
money and more family oriented than most.
See more.
Fri 14
St. Valentine's
"The Day of Love and Friendship" is a big deal in Mexico, so do
something nice for your sweetie. Special menus and programs at many
Puerto restaurants and hotels and the big night in Chila.
Sun 16
Full Moon in Leo at 17:53
Wed 19
Army Day
Proclaimed in 1950 to honor the nation's soldiers, this is the
anniversary of the formation of a national army in 1913 by Venustiano
Carranza.
Mon 24
Flag Day
There have actually been many versions of the familiar tricolor over the
years. The three colors were first adopted in 1821, each one
representing one of the principals of the first constitution of the
young Mexican Republic. The color green represented independence, white
the purity of the Catholic faith and red the unity of the nation.
Incidentally, that huge flag on the army base measures 25 by 13 meters,
it hangs from a 70 meter pole and requires 10 to 12 soldiers to raise
and lower it every day.
Tue 25 - Thu 27
Founders' Day
Sta. María Colotepec
Feb. 27 marks this neighboring town's 288th anniversary. It begins with
sports events on Tue 25th and Wed, 26th, plus a program on history and
folklore at 6 p.m. Thu 27th offers a rodeo, fireworks, including the
classic castillo, and a big dance.
Thu 27 - Tue 4
Carnaval de la Costa 2003
Don't worry, be happy. It's the big blowout before the 40 days of Lent.
Parades, floats, costumes and dancing in the street.
More on Carnaval
Sat March 1
Grand Rodeo
The best riders and the fiercest bulls (including the famous
"Hurricane"). At Puerto's classy rodeo arena La Costeñita.
Wed March 5
Ash Wednesday
The faithful attend special services to receive the mark of ashes on
their foreheads for the beginning of Lent
The Big One!
According to municipal records, the image of St. Isidore was delivered
to the town in January of 1953, when the mayor proclaimed that the
fiesta for their new patron saint would take place on Feb. 15 that year
and henceforth.
May 15 is the actual saint's day for St. Isidore, San Isidro Labrador,
the pious Spanish peasant who is patron saint of numerous agricultural
towns. But May is not a time of great prosperity in the area, the rains
are starting and the fields must be prepared.
It gets its name from a famous curandera, or native healer, named Lucila,
who once lived in the town. People would they'd say "Vamos a Chila" -
"Let's go see Chila", a nickname for Lucila, The fiesta begins with the
selection of the fiesta queens and a slew of sports events, including
Pelota Mixteca, or Mixtec Ball. You can spend an
afternoon at the jaripeo, the bull-riding rodeo, stroll the carnival midway, sample
local delicacies or browse through the numerous stalls set up by itinerant merchants.
There are dances and cultural performances, a week of cock fights
and, new this year, a Cattle Show. Fri 14, Valentine's Day, is the Big Night of the Fair with the
castillo, an amazing fireworks display, and a huge dance and lots of good eating and
imbibing.
Chila provide good security for its visitors and lots of buses and
taxis to ferry fiesta-goers the 20-minute trip to and from Puerto.
50 year of Chila's Annual Fair
Puerto regulars know that the St. Valentine's fiesta in Chila is one
of the best on the coast. It offers all the traditional staples of the
Oaxacan fiesta, but just a little bit more so. And this year the Fair
celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Chila or Bajos de Chila, as it is officially known (bajos means
lowlands; much of the town is actually below sea level), is surrounded by
rich agricultural lands and boasts abundant sources of fresh water.
Partial Program:
Friday 7
Women's Football & Volleyball
Friday 7 - Sat 15
Cock Fights
Saturday 8
Basketball, Football, Mixtec Ball Tournament.
Sunday 9
Volleyball, Football, Mixtec Ball Tournament
Monday 10, Tuesday 11
Cultural Events
Wednesday 12
Song Contest
Thursday 13
Convite & Calenda Processions
Friday 14
Show, Fireworks, Dance
Saturday 15
Cattle Show, Dance with Mar Azul and La Guerrilla
Sunday 16 Monday 17
Rodeos
Martes 18
Horse Races, Closing Dance with Los Yonis, La Luz Roja
Read This Month's Feature Articles:
Fighting Cocks
Pelota Mixteca: A Game for the Ages
Carnaval de la Costa
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