Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The 2011 Pan American Games torch began its local journey on October 7 at the Paradise Village Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta and concluded on the Puerto Vallarta Malecón, where Mayor Salvador González Reséndiz lit the caldron to officially begin the Fiestas of the Americas celebration.

González Reséndiz and his wife, DIF Municipal President Jennifer Serur, carried the Pan American Torch when it started its official relay through Puerto Vallarta. The torch was received by the mayor from the Governor of Nayarit, Roberto Sandoval. Serur covered the first meters of the torch relay in our city making her the 26th torchbearer of this circuit.

There were a total of 103 Pan Am torchbearers on the 32 km route that started in Nuevo Vallarta and continued through the streets and colonias of Vallarta, then along Medina Ascencio Avenue until it reached the Puerto Vallarta Malecón near the lighthouse, where the Fiestas of the Americas celebrations were already in progress.

The party had a unique artistic and cultural program including Mariachi music, Grupo Arcano, the Xiutla municipal ballet and singer Faride Talamás as well as an impressive fireworks display. This show was enjoyed by a large number of local families and visitors.