A sensational display of prize farm animals is at the heart of Jalisco’s 51st annual Expo Ganadera, opening Friday, October 7 for a four-week run at Guadalajara’s Livestock Union fairgrounds.
Widely rated as Mexico’s biggest and best livestock show, the Expo also draws huge crowds looking to buy western wear, tack, farm equipment and other assorted merchandise, with a wide array of entertainment running simultaneously at different on-site venues, and plenty of great grub thrown into the mix.
Organized by the Regional Ganadera Union of Jalisco, the fair exhibits extensive breeds of livestock including Spanish, Aztecan and Appaloosa horses, Beefmaster, Angus Black and White cows and Black Belly, Dorpa and Boer breeds of sheep, pig and goat. A particular highlight is the collection of albino horses. According to organizers, there are approximately 4,500 animals on display at any one stage of the fair.
Since its inception in 1967, the Expo has worked to educate younger and older generations alike about the diversity of farm animals, farming culture and, more recently, about the developments in genetically enhanced livestock.
And if enormous cattle don’t float your boat, there is a stream of other options that don’t involve animal pens or manure. You can appreciate the cattle in other ways – by sampling a smorgasbord of barbecued goodies or admiring the leather products on sale.
There is also a host of musical events (mostly banda and mariachi), as well as dancing horses, dog agility demos and a dog beauty contest, lucha libre, clowns, folk dancing, comedians and charreadas.
The annual “Cabalgata” parade of hundreds of horses begins at the Agua Azul Park, running up Avenida R. Michel to the fairgrounds, Saturday, October 8, 10 a.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 and
Lazaro Cardenas. While the height of activity will be concentrated during afternoon and evening hours, gates open at 9 a.m. daily. Entry to the fair is 30 pesos for adults and 15 pesos for children. Go to www.ugrj.org.mx to see the day-by-day program and starting times of all events.