The Guadalajara Reporter

City Living - October 12, 2013

Livestock Fair

Expo Ganadera 2004, Guadalajara’s annual livestock fair, considered by many as Mexico’s best of the genre, opened this week with an ongoing exhibition of live farm animals and a jam-packed program of special events that should entice thousands of visitors before it ends November 3.

While the expo centers on the display of top breed horses, cattle, sheep, goats and other fauna, the huge event also lures scores of commercial vendors offering a wide array of western wear, saddles and tack, ranch and farm equipment and other assorted merchandise, as well as plentiful food and refreshments to keep visitors well fueled. Pony rides, a petting farm and other special activities are available to keep youngsters entertained.

The selection of competitive events and live entertainment varies daily. Prize livestock will be shown and graded nearly every day, usually during morning hours.   Charreada horsemanship competitions are lined up at noon on Sundays, October 13, 20 and 27, and November 3.  In addition, canines trained in obedience, search and rescue and protection skills will perform at daily dog shows.

In what is always a humorous show, midget bullfighters perform on Saturday, October 12, 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 13, 3 p.m.

The Expo is headquartered at the sprawling Union Ganadera fairgrounds, located at the Glorieta Alamo where the Chapala-Guadalajara highway feeds into Avenida Gonzalez Gallo just past the Lazaro Cardenas intersection. Gates open daily at 10 a.m.  Cost of entry is 43 pesos. For more information visit www.ugrj.org.mx or call (33) 3837-0770.

Marathon

Exactly 1,815 athletes have signed up to compete in Guadalajara’s 29th annual International Marathon on Sunday, October 13.

The 26-mile race begins at 7 a.m. on Avenida Alcalde beside the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres.  The route follows Avenida Washington, Niños Heroes, Mariano Otero, Patria, Fidel Velazquez, Belisario Dominguez and the Calzada Gonzalez Gallo.

There are 17 different categories for runners of different genders, ages and disabilities. The first prize in the male and female elite categories is 58,000 pesos. Kenyan athletes typically claim the first few places in the elite categories, but the top five Mexican runners will also receive 25,000 pesos each. Winners in other categories will be rewarded with 4,000 to 10,000 pesos.

October expos

The Expo Guadalajara (Mariano Otero 1499) hosts the following events this month:

Expo Nutricion 2013. Conferences and lectures on scientific advances and innovative products in the field of nutrition. October 16 and 17

Expo Princesa. Clothing and accessories for girls aged up to 11. October 19 and 20.

Tu Bebe y Tu. Over 100 of the best Mexican and international brands present products aimed at babies and their parents.  October 19 and 20

Mexipan. International bread industry fair.  October 24 to 26.

V Expo Obsequio. Gifts, jewelry and accessories. October 24 to 26

Expo Casas y Terrenos. Biannual real estate fair. October 26 to 27

Expo Fiesta Infantil. Find everything you need to organize a party for kids. October 26 to 27.

Wheelchair Games success

With 64 medals – 32 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze – Jalisco’s disabled sportsmen and women triumphed in the 40th National Wheelchair Games held in Guadalajara last week.

The State of Mexico came second with 63 medals, while Veracruz finished third with 36 medals. Around 700 disabled athletes competed in nine disciplines throughout the five-day competition.

“These National Wheelchair Games were aimed at giving (the athletes) the opportunity to develop, enhance their competitiveness and demonstrate their capabilities to everyone in Mexico,” said Jalisco’s First Lady Lorena Arriaga, who presides over the state Family Development Agency (DIF), at Saturday’s closing ceremony. Arraiga praised the games as “a show of the bravery, tenacity and human qualities of disabled people,” adding that “the athletes that honored us with their presence have left us with a clear message: we must keep working to ensure that all people have the opportunity to develop themselves to the fullest.”