The Guadalajara Reporter

Ajijic rollicks with San Andres fiestas

With the November 21 blast-off of festivities honoring spiritual patron Saint Andrew the Apostle, Ajijic is in full-tilt party mode for the remainder of the month.

The Fiestas Patronales revolve around the nine-day novenario of religious activities honoring San Andres Apostol, beginning every day at 6 a.m. with the mañanitas fireworks and music salute. A celebration of the Mass at the village parish follows at 8 a.m., with the jubuliant pealing of church bells – the repique – ringing out at noon. Each evening fiestas patrons gather at the west end Seis Esquinas intersection, 6:30 p.m., for a candlelight procession along Calle Hidago leading into the evening Mass.

Aside from the religious angle, the fiestas provide a framework for plenty of secular revelry centered at the town square following the church service. Each evening caps off with a towering castillo fireworks display set ablaze between 10:30 and 11 p.m.