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 News from Around Banderas Bay | February 2008 
International Festival Bahia de Banderas
 Sue Fornoff - PVNN
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Click image to enlarge | | This year's International Festival de Bahia de Banderas is scheduled to take place in the plaza of El Porvenir from February 24 through March 2, 2008. | 
| | Bahia de Banderas Tourism Director Hector Sahagun | | |
The schedule is out for this year's International Festival de Bahia de Banderas. Some old favorites and some new ideas are featured in the lineup of activities. (All times are given in PV time, even though the Festival is in Nayarit.)
The Festival begins on Sunday, February 24th with a Charro Parade in Nuevo Vallarta starting at 1 pm. Municipal President Dr. Jaime Cuevas and the candidates for the crown of Senorita de Bahia de Banderas will lead the parade.
That evening a gala performance with Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitan and Mariachi Sol de Jalisco will take place at 8 pm. It, and all of the other evening performances, will take place in the plaza of El Porvenir.
Bahia de Banderas Tourism Director Hector Sahagun said, "Last year it worked well to have one central location for the Theme Night entertainment. Rather than spread the shows out between different parts of the Bahia de Banderas, we scheduled them all for a central place, El Porvenir."
The large plaza and esplanade in El Porvenir are a perfect setting for watching the action. From the Children's Night through the Comedy and Awards Night, area residents and tourists alike will be treated to top-notch entertainment.
Tourism Director Sahagun encourages everyone to attend the Festival. "Tourists looking for a different type of activity should come to the performances in Porvenir to see the entertainment. Visitors will be surprised to see the quality and variety of regional culture."
Sahagun says there will be security, medics on duty and information booths set up to help the visitors. All events (other than the whale photo contest) are free and open to the public.
The Theme Nights will be:
• February 25th, 7 pm: Spectacular Children's Night with Magician Frank and his rabbit Blas, children's folkloric ballet, singers, and clowns
• February 26th, 7 pm: Bohemian Night with the Municipal Orchestra, young singer Jose Miguel, Carlos Cuevas and other live music
• February 27th, 7 pm: Regional Talent featuring performers from the Bahia de Banderas
• February 28th, 6 pm: EXAFEST 2008 Pop Concert
• February 29th, 7 pm: Night of Culture and Tradition featuring folkloric dancing by Ballet Tintoc of the Bahia de Banderas, Ballet and Mariachi of Compostela and the Symphony of Zacatecas. And also - Exhibit and demonstration of artisan crafts "Magic Hands of the Bahia de Banderas"
• March 1st, 7 pm: Comedy Night featuring comedian El Costeno from Televisa
• March 2nd, 8 pm: Spectacular presentation - Final competition and crowning of Senorita Bahia de Banderas with singer Edith Marquez
Several new events will take place on Friday, February 29th in the pueblito of El Colomo. An environmental campaign to promote keeping the town clean starts at 11 am. Afterwards, there will be a photo opportunity session of the small typical Mexican village. Bring your camera! At 1 pm there will be an Exhibition of typical regional cooking in the town plaza.
On Saturday, March 1st, Bucerias will be the center for several popular events. First, a Boat Parade of Flags will arrive from La Cruz and Nuevo Vallarta. A kite-making and flying competition will be held at the beach. For those people who just want to play in the sand, a sand sculpture contest will be held on the beach as well. And then everyone is welcome to try out some new tastes at "Para Ceviches El Nuestro," the ceviche tasting expo.
Those with an eye for photos and adventure are welcome to sign up for the whale photo contest. It begins at 10 am on February 28th at Playa Anclote. Photographers will be assigned to a panga and will have an opportunity to look for and photograph whales that day. No photos previously taken will be accepted. There is a charge for this event.
Sports fans might enjoy the Volleyball Exhibition, a promotional tour with members of the National Olympic Team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The exhibitions take place at 6 pm on February 29th, March 1st and at 3 pm on March 2nd at the San Jose Club Fut 7.
The Festival concludes on Saturday March 2nd with the Senorita Bahia de Banderas finals taking at 8 pm in Porvenir. Besides the pageant, singer Edith Marquez will entertain the crowd.
The Municipality of the Bahia de Banderas stretches from the Ameca River to the south (Nayarit/Jalisco state line) to Lo de Marco in the north; and from the beaches of the Bahia to the west to the mountains past El Colomo and Aguamilpa to the east.
To get to El Porvenir, turn east from Highway 200 at Mezcales. It is after the towns of San Clemente and San Vicente. You will pass right by the Esplanade in El Porvenir. San Jose del Valle is the next town past El Porvenir. ATM buses go to both towns, look for the buses heading to San Jose or San Juan.
Local area residents and tourists are encouraged to participate in this International Festival. Bahia de Banderas President Dr. Jaime Alonzo Cuevas Tello said, "Each pueblito in our municipality has their own Fiestas Patronales and Fiesta Ejidal. This Festival is to celebrate the entire Municipality and bring us together as one. We want to show people what this area has to offer."
For more information on the Festival and how to sign up for the many activities, please email the Tourism Office at turismobadeba(at)yahoo.com or call them at (329) 298-2109. |
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