Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Every year during the first two weeks of August, the annual Feria del Elote (Corn Festival) is held in Jala, Nayarit, a small town of around 10,000 inhabitants that was designated a Pueblo Magico (magical town) by Mexico's federal government in November 2012.

Jala is an agricultural town with the main crops being corn, sorghum, peanuts, sugarcane, and fruit trees - but corn is the most important crop in Jala as the area produces the largest ears of corn in the world, with some reaching nearly 20 inches long.

Visiting Jala at this time of year gives everyone a chance to experience a very Mexican tradition while exploring the historic city center that has retained its colonial essence (the streets and buildings are INAH Historic Heritage sites) and "Old Mexico" atmosphere.

The Municipal Government has already begun organizing some of the events set to take place during the August 6-15, 2016 Feria del Elote, which celebrates the first harvest. Though corn is the star of this festival, the local cuisine, culture and traditions play honorary roles.

Historically, pagans began celebrating the harvest earlier, but since the event coincides with the Virgin of the Assumption religious celebration on August 15, nowadays the event lasts two weeks and features regional expos, sports competitions, jaripeos (bull riding), dancing and performances in public places, fireworks and many other family-friendly activities, including the traditional largest ear of corn contest, which became part of the festival in 1981 in order to celebrate Jala's unique maize and to encourage farmers to keep growing it.

Some of the events are currently being organized in preparation of this year's festival. They include: the search for "Nuestra Belleza Jala 2016," who will be crowned by the beautiful 2015 Corn Festival Queen, Alejandra Chacón; the Regional Soccer Tournament games that are now being played, which will conclude during the celebration; the hiring of the bands that will be playing during the Bailes Populares (public dances) that will be held August 13-15th; and the distribution of areas on the streets for the stalls and booths that will feature local foods and handicrafts during the 2016 Feria del Elote.

The food stands offer more than just dishes made from the region's different varieties of corn, they offer the palate a real taste of Mexico. Some of Jala's restaurants will be serving up their specialties, such as carnitas (shredded roasted meat tacos) and chilaquiles (fried tortillas topped with scrambled eggs, cheese & salsa), and, as Jala is also famous for their "mystical" peanuts, you are sure to find someone selling those as well.

Don't miss a visit to:

• Basílica Lateranense de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción - This architectural jewel was built in 1856 out of pink, green and yellow stone, mixing Roman and Gothic styles.

• Museo Comunitario de Jala - Located in the center of town, this beautiful museum is located in a restored home dating back to the XIX century. It showcases an important collection of pre-Hispanic and traditional regional pieces.

• Ceboruco Volcano - This volcano reaches a height of nearly 7,500 feet. It last erupted in 1870; today it’s a Geological Park beloved by mountain climbers for its extraordinary views.

How to get there:

Jala is bordered on the north by the municipalities of Santa Maria del Oro and La Yesca and on the south by the municipalities of Ahuacatlán and Ixtlan del Rio in the southern part of the State of Nayarit. To get there from Vallarta-Nayarit, click HERE to see the Google Map.