In Mexico, the land of 10,000 fiestas, even the cowboys get their own national holiday.
Not all cowboys are the same.
A charro is someone who specifically practices the centuries-old sports art of la charrería, while a vaquero is what we’d use to describe a “cowboy.”
Though the official Día del Charro is September 14, in Ajijic it’s usually observed on a nearby weekend around the September 16 Independence Day holiday.
2019 EVENT INFORMATION
It’s unlikely that the Día del Charro will be celebrated in Ajijic in 2019 since the Regata de Globos falls on the same day. You can still probably catch Chapala’s celebrations around mid-morning to noon on Francisco Madero Avenue.
Normally in Ajijic, el Día del Charro begins around 11:30 a.m. as the cowboys and escaramuzas arrive at San Andrés Church. This is the one time of the year that horses are allowed on this outdoor atrium. A special mass begins at 12 p.m. and lasts an hour while the majority of the cowboys and cowgirls remain outside on their horses. The parade starts at 1 p.m. and ends about an hour later.
PARADE ROUTE
The parade starts in the courtyard outside San Andrés Church and proceeds west on Hidalgo until it reaches Seís Esquinas (Six Corners) and then heads back east on Ocampo. In 2018, the parade ended at the malecón instead of the lienzo charro ring.
After the parade, there might be ballet folklórico dancers and mariachi or other activities before the charros invite everyone to eat lunch.
Then there are free events in the bullring later in the afternoon: usually a charrería exhibition and cowboy games, such as throwing darts at targets while galloping on horseback.
Last updated August 28, 2019
DANE STROM • THE LAKESIDE GUIDE
I moved to Ajijic in 2010 when I decided to quit my job of seven years as an editorial assistant at The Denver Post in Colorado. I’m the photographer, web designer, programmer, marketer, writer… the everything behind this website, The Lakeside Guide. All of the businesses on this website appear here for free at no cost to them. If you find this site useful, please consider giving a small donation to become a site patron. Learn more about The Lakeside Guide or check out my other website about photography of Mexico.
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