Expo Ganaderia
The 48th Expo Ganadera Jalisco, considered one of Mexico’s finest livestock fairs, opens Wednesday, October 8 for a 25-day run that will attract thousands of visitors keen on having a look at top-breed farm animals, as well as enjoying a jam-packed schedule of special events.
Look for a full program of competitive events and entertainment spectacles lined up daily to complement the fair’s huge exhibition of live cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and farm fowl. Scores of vendors will also bring in sales displays of western wear, tack, ranch and farming machinery and equipment, food and refreshments and other merchandise.
Lovers of all things equestrian will enjoy the Sunday, October 12, 6 p.m. show by the famous Domecq horses. These beautifully manicured and “choreographed” horses are a delight to watch and the show includes excellent musical accompaniment.
Children will be able to mingle with farm animals in an exclusive petting area. There are also plenty of musical events planned – mainly of a Mexican flavor.
A new attraction this year will be the first Regional Cuniculture (rabbit breeding) Exhibition. On display will be a variety of rabbit breeds, as well as culinary samplings. A competition is scheduled on Saturday, November 1, 4 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. While the height of activity will be concentrated during afternoon and evening hours, gates are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. daily. Entry to the fair is 30 pesos for adults and ten pesos for children. For more information go to www.ugrj.org.mx.
Hundreds of horsemen and women, horse-drawn carriages (calandrias) and 20 live bands will take part in a huge equestrian parade (cabalgata) from the city center to the fairground on Saturday, October 11. The parade leaves the Palacio de Gobierno at 9 a.m. and arrives at the fairground about an hour later.
Pet festival
The 5th annual Pet Festival (Narices) is on at Zapopan’s Parque Metropolitano Sunday, October 5, from 10 a.m. Activities include demonstrations of pet agility, pet costume displays, beauty and congeniality contests, workshops and discussions on pets for both adults and children and demonstrations of dogs trained by police for security, search and rescue and protection. Various adoption and animal protection agencies will promote their works and veterinarians will be on hand for any emergencies.
Commercial stands selling all manner of pet articles will be hawking their wares and your pet will have a chance to interact with others.
The event will be held in the area known as Titanes (between Avenidas Sebastian Bach and Tchaivkoski) in Colonia Arcos de Guadalupe (where the beer festival was held two years ago). To enter your pet in the free costume (disfraz) or congeniality (simpatico) contest, send your name and the name of your pet to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The beauty contest is for pedigreed dogs only and the cost is 50 pesos. Call 3833-0433 for more information.
Marathon sign up
The 30th annual Guadalajara Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 7 a.m. The route begins and ends downtown next to the Cathedral and spans main avenues throughout the city. To sign up online go to www.marcate.com.mx. An official event guide of the marathon in English is available at www.maratonguadalajara.org/#convocatoria.
Fragmented Soul
Well-known, U.S.-born Mexican artist Lucía Maya is presenting an exhibition of her works entitled “Alma Fragmentada” at the Museo de Sitio at the Jalisco Government Palace (entrance in front of the Plaza de Armas). The show, which runs through October 31, consists of 30 oils, drawings, sculptures and mixed technique pieces combining paintings treated digitally. Most of the works, which are aligned under two themes, landscapes and dolls as self portraits, are being shown for the first time in Guadalajara. The Museo de Sitio is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays until 3 p.m. Entrance is free.