Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Now in its second edition, the Bugambilia Festival showcases what Puerto Vallarta is all about; a strong sense of community, remarkably friendly folks, a vibrant culture, good times, great food, and a natural beauty not found elsewhere.

Scheduled to take place May 9-11th, the 2014 Vallarta Bugambilia Festival is chock-full of fun and exciting events for the entire family! Mark your calendars now, so you won't miss your chance to explore and enjoy springtime in Puerto Vallarta.

The fun start with the 2014 Bugambilia Festival opening night cocktail party on Friday night, May 9th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Oscar's Restaurant on the Isla Cuale. There will be floral displays by the top floral designers in Puerto Vallarta, music by Piel Canela and prizes valued in excess of $40,000 pesos to be given away. You can start your evening with a complimentary "Margavillea," a margarita made with tincture of bougainvillea, and tastings by the Council of Raicilla and Dorwart Whiskey. Tickets are $350 and can be purchased at Carol's Boutique on Basilio Badillo, Mailboxes, Etc. at Vallarta and Aquiles Serdan, as well as online at BugambiliasFestival.com.

At 8:30 pm, the festivities will the move to Parque Lazaro Cardenas for the official Bugambilia Festival opening ceremonies, with a flower ribbon cutting ceremony led by Puerto Vallarta Mayor Lic. Ramon Demetrio Guerrero Martinez. Entertainment will be presented by the Daniel Portela Show from 9:00 until 11:00 pm. Browse the artisans booths, selling everything from arts and handicrafts to plants and pottery, while enjoying delicious food, drinks, and more.

On Saturday, May 10th join us for a fantastic time at the 2014 Bugambilia Festival Parade. Everybody is welcome to enjoy this free event. The parade will commence at 8:00 pm at the North end of the Malecón and will culminate in Parque Lazaro Cardenas. The parade will feature the Miss Vallarta finalists, Mariachis, Folkloric Dancers, BICI en Vallarta and all that is colorful and wonderful about Puerto Vallarta. Civic organizations and local businesses are invited to participate in the parade. Visit BugambiliasFestival.com to learn more.

Saturday night at Parque Lazaro Cardenas will be a celebration of Mexico and her beautiful history and culture, commencing at 7:00 pm. Enjoy folkloric dancers, Mariachi music and an incredible Variety Show being produced by Act II Entertainment, featuring contestants from the "Voice of Vallarta" and "Vallarta Has Talent." The show will be from 9:00 until 11:00 pm. Look forward to music, dancing, artisan booths, delicious food, drinks, and much, much more.

Sunday, May 11th, will start good and early with a Zumbathon being coordinated by Shanti Studios. Get up early and join in the fun or just come watch the fun! We will celebrate mothers with a fabulous Sunday Brunch at the newly reopened Le Bistro Jazz Cafe. After enjoying our brunch, we will be treated to a fashion show featuring Edoardo Rocha and Yozozky, both incredible Mexican designers. Come sip a bit of the bubbly with friends and help support the Bugambilia Festival. Tickets are $350 and can be purchased at Carol's Boutique on Basilio Badillo, Mailboxes, Etc. at Vallarta and Aquiles Serdan, and online at BugambiliasFestival.com.

After a much needed siesta, return to Parque Lazaro Cardenas and enjoy our Pooch Parade. There will be Soccer Net Games, Hat Dances, and Piñata Games for the kids. At 7:00 pm there will be a Chili Dog Eating Contest. Feel like you have a big appetite? Come down and enter the contest!

Sunday evening will be an evening filled with dance. Shanti Studios will have their HipHop and Salsa Rueda dance teams performing. We will close the Bugambilia Festival with a big Salsa Dance Party and dancing in Lazaro Cardenas Park until 11 pm.

The festival is run by a group of volunteers who generously give their time as they're simply so passionate about Vallarta! They want everyone to explore and enjoy what they get to see every day. It is their goal to build the Bugambilia Festival into an international floral and cultural festival, thus becoming an economic and tourism generator for the month of May.

Their decision to have the festival in May had numerous reasons. The primary being to extend what has traditionally been called the "High Season" for tourism in Puerto Vallarta. May is typically, climactically, a beautiful month with trees and bougainvillea in full bloom.

It also made sense to tie the floral festival into the Mother's Day weekend. Thus, it is their plan to have the Vallarta Bugambilia Festival during the Mother's Day weekend every year. Your participation can help to make this dream a reality. We look forward to seeing you at all of the festival events and in the park this May!