The dates for Carnival 2017 will be March 3 -5. At a recent Press Conference, Mayor Kiko Munro, along with the Secretary of Tourism, Luis Altamirano, head of Cultural events, Nina Mier, Representative of DIF, and Professor Ceina (who has been in charge of organizing the parade as well as coordinating the events for the past several years. The reason for choosing these dates is so that it will not conflict with Carnival festivals in Guaymas, Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta. Many people come from these areas to add to our parade along with bands, motorcycle clubs and stilt walkers and so much more. Carnival has been going for well over 20 years most of the time. Mayor Munro stated that the plan is now in effect to see that it continues to be an annual event.
During the meeting, the subject came up about safety and Mayor Munro assured everyone that all branches of the Police will be involved, City, State and Federal as well as the Red Cross and the Fire department as well as the military.
The parade will start near the baseball stadium as in the past at approximately 4:00 p.m.and proceed south on Benito Juarez and end at the big open lot next to Manny’s in the Mirador area that is being leveled. It will be both Friday and Saturday. The main reason to have it end in the Mirador area is that perhaps this will start to revitalize the area. The Mirador area for years was the place to be at spring break between Manny’s Beach Club, Baja Cantina, Ice Box, Pink Cadillac. After Manny’s closed it slowed down and the local businesses in that area suffered. It is expected that on Friday night there will be about 6,000 present to hear the concerts by several name groups as well as have fun in the carnival atmosphere. Saturday night they figure there will be over 3,000 people in attendance. This will give not only the kids on Spring Break, but any RVer’s that are left to take in some of the Mexican Culture.
There will also be a stage set up in front of the Ice House, where there is always competition between the contestants and they do what they call “burning”, we they talk bad about or makes jokes about the contestants.
Guillermo Salazar will again be the Eternal Princess as has been the case for the several years. The costumes worn are all hand made made and change from year to year. You can see the detail that is put into these costumes.
This should be a busy time as ASU’s Spring Break starts on the 4th but many will be arriving on the 3rd. If you know of “Spring Breakers” coming down, please ask them to be cautious if the parade is moving when they arrive.
Don’t forget to be there early along the parade route to get a great seat. The streets will be packed, so plan
to sit awhile until the crowds clear to head to your destination. This is always a fun filled parade and this year should be no different.
Please enjoy the pictures and that weekend.
