This Month in Puerto

Since Puerto is a resort town, its cab fleet plays a major role in civic life. Following a special mass and the blessing of the cabs, Puerto's taxi fleet, decorated in ribbons and bows, parades through town for few hours and then the cabbies are treated to a lunch and a party.

You might have an extra wait finding a taxi today. But if you do wish your driver Felicidades!

Sunday 12, Monday 13
Perseid Meteor Shower
The legendary Perseid meteor shower will peak during these days. It's expected to display the greatest number of meteors Sunday morning) before dawn, but you'll see some Perseids Saturday. The moon is new on Sunday, or between the Earth and Sun. This new moon will leave the night sky dark all this weekend for the Perseid meteors. These meteors are named for the constellation Perseus the Hero. If you trace the paths of the meteors backwards, they seem to stream from this constellation.

You don't need to identify Perseus to enjoy the meteor shower. The Perseids are an especially rich and dependable meteor shower. They shoot all across the sky, often leaving persistent trains, and occasionally lighting things up with bright fireballs. To watch the show, find a dark, open sky. Get away from city lights, and give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adapt to the dark.

Again, the best time to watch: predawn and late Sunday night and before dawn Monday morning. At its peak, the Perseids typically produce 60 or more meteors per hour. Now, it all depends on the weather.

Monday 13 - Wed 15
Feast of the Ascension of the Holy Virgin
This feast of the Ascension is celebrated in many towns and colonias, most named for Santa Maria, including Santa María Colotepec, Santa María Tonameca (near Pochutla), San Pedro Mixtepec and the Mixtec community of Huazolotitlan.

The traditional fiesta is a mixture of the religious and the profane, solemnity and revelry . . . parades, processions, fireworks, dances, rodeos, carnival rides, big markets, sometimes cock fights and horse races, as well as the religious observations.

The lighting of the castillo (castle or tower), and spectacular fireworks, always takes place on the eve of the saint's day (Aug. 14).

Of particular interest is the celebration in Santa María Huazolotitlan or Huazolo, as it commonly referred to. It's just 4 Km from Huazpala, located in a lovely verdant valley. Predominantly Mixtec, Huazolo is picturesque and notable for the production of elaborately embroidered huipiles and carved and painted wooden masks and figurines, many of which are still used in the traditional dances of the region. The town is also known for its delicious sweet egg bread.

The most important element of this festiva are the amazing, colorful traditional dances, especially the Chareos Dance and the Little Mask Dance.

Huazolo is one of our favorite indigenous towns to visit, and readers who have attended the fiesta in past years report that they were made to feel like honored guests.
More on Huazolo

Wednesday 22
Day of the Fireman
Congratulations to our heroic corps of firefighters. They deal with emergencies ranging from auto accidents to removing swarms of killer bees. Many local families drop off food and other gifts during the celebration at the Fire Station.

Monday 27
Grandparents' Day
The city often hosts a special program to honor its seniors.
(unconfirmed at press time.) 5 p.m. City Hall Esplanade.

Monday 27 - Tue 28
Martyrdom of John the Baptist
Important festival in the Chatino town of Lachao Pueblo Nuevo, on the road to Oaxaca vía Sola de Vega.

Tuesday 28 - Thur 30
Santa Rosa de Lima Fiesta
Beyond the wetlands complex of Chacahua National Park, Santa Rosa de Lima is a major center for the cultivation of limes, the all-purpose seasoning and astringent which are a local staple. Look for the friendly, country-style restaurant named Doña, it's worth a trip for lunch in itself. There's also a Santa Rosa near Pueblo Nuevo Lachao.

Sat, September 1
Presidential Address
For Mexico's "state of the union" message, banks and government offices will be closed. The first address by Pres. Felipe Calderón..

Tuesday 4
Election of "Miss America"
No, it's not a beauty contest. The official inauguration of the "Month of the Nation" is the selection of Srta. América and her maids-of-honor, all of whom hopefully look good in the national colors when they represent the spirit of Mexican liberty at all the month's patriotic civic and cultural events,

Open to any young women, resident of Puerto age 15 to 22, contestants will be judged on how well they can sing the national anthem. It ain't easy!
5 p.m. Town Hall Esplanade

Thursday 6 - Sunday 9
Fiesta of the Birth of the Holy Virgin
Seems that Santa María Colotepec has a ton of Annual Fairs. Every date on the liturgical calendar referring to St. Mary is occasion for a full-blown fiesta. Nothing wrong with that, of course. The traditional convite and calenda parades with brass band and huge papier-mache puppets take place Thursday; Friday is the castillo fireworks; Saturday includes a community meal at 2 p.m. and dance with live music at 10 p.m. Closing event ceremonies will be held Sunday at 8 p.m.
Santa María Colotepec.

This month we are pleased to introduce a regular, new column on Oaxaca City and the Central Valleys by Alvin Starkman

Read This Month's Feature Articles:
Oaxaca Weekend
Mixtec Fiesta