This Month in Puerto

Sunday 15
Father's Day
Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington first proposed a day to honor her father, a Civil War veteran, in 1909 and it quickly took root. In 1924 Pres. Calvin Coolidge proclaimed June 19 a national celebration for dads and in 1966 Lyndon Johnson moved D. Day to the third Sunday in June, the same day that it is celebrated in México. Among the special activities planned to please papi is:
2nd Father's Day Sailfish Contest
This 'Mini-Contest" for sailfish is being sponsored by the tourist service providers at Puerto Angelito Beach. Enrollment is $1,000.00 pesos per launch. The money will go into a pool which will be awarded as prizes for the winning contestants.
7 a.m. - noon, Puerto Angelito

Friday 20
First Day of Summer
it officially begins at 6:59 p.m.

379th Anniversary of San Pedro Mixtepec
The administrative center of the county (municipio) to which most of Puerto Escondido belongs celebrates the 379th anniversary of its founding today with a civic ceremony and cultural program. It's a picturesque community in the Sierra foothills just 20 minutes north from Puerto Escondido on the road to Oaxaca via Sola de Vega.

Mixtepec comes from the Nahuatl word meaning "Hill of Clouds" or "Cloudy Hill" -- mixtli - cloud and tpetl hill. It has probably had many names, including the Zapotec, Danicahue, which has the same meaning.

According to the archives, on June 21, 1629, Don Juan de Peralta, in return for "1000 arrobas of cotton and 1000 pesos," ceded the lands to the people living there. (An arroba was about 25 pounds; I can't imagine what a peso was worth then.) The ceremony was witnessed by the colonial authorities and San Pedro Mixtepec officially became a county.

San Pedro is a pleasant, well-ordered community that sits on the Vacas river and is surrounded by densely wooded, frequently cloudy peaks. A spectacular tourist attraction is el Chorro waterfall. A hike up el Cerro Madero offers panoramic views. We opted for a less strenuous visit to La Hondura swimming hole (with food and beverage service on weekends). And, we left San Pedro by the 12 km dirt road that passes through marvelous farmland to arrive in Chila. (Check road conditions first)

Sunday 22 - Tue 24
Festival of St. John the Baptist
Another fiesta (imagine that!) in many local communities. The celebration in Santos Reyes Nopala, an important center of Chatino culture, is of particular interest. It's one of their traditional mayordomia fiestas, in which a mayordomo or sponsor, named by the town authorities the year before, is responsible for throwing the party, which means providing food and entertainment for all who show up. This one is a "horse fiesta", which includes horseback processions and horse racing that has roots in pre-Colombian religious rituals. The object is to capture the live chicken strung up by its feet above the track.

Nopala sits on a hilltop surrounded by even loftier peaks thick with trees. The views are spectacular and it's great town to explore: the churches, the market, restaurants and archeological remains of this ancient culture. Visit a coffee plantation or a traditional trapiche works, a wooden mill, powered by oxen, to crush sugar cane to produce raw sugar and tepache.

Thursday 26 - Sat 28
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
An important religious observance in many communities, including Santa Maria Colotepec.

Thursday 26 - Mon 30
Fiesta of Saint Peter & Saint Paul
Annual Fair in San Pedro Mixtepec, as well as San Pedro Pochutla, a busy city close to Puerto Angel; San Pedro Tutútepec, one of the oldest settlements in Oaxaca, Santos Reyes Nopala, where they'll be another "horse fiesta" and San Pedro Amuzgos, center of the Amuzgo culture in Oaxaca, land of weavers, healers, and survivors. Plus many, many more.
Here's some of the schedule for the fiesta in San Pedro Mixtepec:

Thursday 26
6 p.m. Folkloric Program

Friday 27
6 p.m. Convite parade, women dressed in their fiesta finest carrying baskets filled with fruit and flowers
9 p.m. Calenda, another parade, this one candle-lit and led by the town's brass band.

Saturday 28
9 a.m. Female Volleyball
8 p.m. Vespers Mass
10 p.m Castillo and Toritos fireworks followed by dancing.

Sunday 29
5 a.m. Mañanitas, dawn mass
11 a.m. Religious procession followed by noon mass officiated by Bishop Carmona
1 p.m Community Meal
6 p.m. Jaripeo Bull-Riding Rodeo

Monday 30
5 p.m. Jaripeo

Saturday 28 - Sun 29
"Young Ambassadors of Surf" Kids Contest
Open to all kids under 16: groups: age 4 - 6; 7 -10; 11 - 13 and 14 -16, short board or bodyboard. Entry fee: $50 pesos at Colorada Surf on Zicatela or CarriSurf Rinconada. Oaxaca Surf Ass. event organizers also require written permission from a parent or teachers, 4 fotos and copy of birth certificate.
7 a.m. Zicatela Point

Friday, July 4
Independence Day
Any excuse for a party at Brad's is fine with us and this is a great one. Split Coconut, Hotel Jardin Real.

Read this Month's Featured Articles:
Summer Surf
Getting Out of Town - el Chorro Waterfall