Carnaval in Semana Santa

by Maureen Dietrich on 18 Mar 15 in Home | 1 Comment | Print |

Par Vial traffic diversion when all four lanes of Av. Camarón Sábalo will be one way south to north begins on April 1 and will end April 5.

At a press conference yesterday, Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton and Cultura Director Raúl Rico announced new programs for the upcoming Semana Santa holiday during which it is expected upwards of 150,000 tourists will visit the city.

The idea is to make Mazatlán an innovative tourist destination, attractive and ideal for new investments that generate employment and social wellbeing, said the Mayor.

Speaking to reporters, the Cultura Director stated that in addition to the Bandródromo 2015 of four bandstands with live music in Olas Altas, there will be two parades with luminous floats and a spectacular fireworks display in the bahía del Viejo Mazatlán (Olas Altas).

The Bandródromo will take place April 1 through 4 from 8pm to 4am and admission is free. Music lovers can bring their own alcoholic beverages providing they are not in glass containers or other material that can be used as weapons.

The Bandródromo will take place April 1 through 4 from 8pm to 4am and admission is free.

Groups appearing at the four night party are Grupo Havana Libre, Banda Sihuey, Los Navegantes, Banda Hermanos Romero, Grupo Maz Show and Banda La Extrema Pura Canela. Stages will be erected in front of Calle Sixto Osuna, Calle Constitución at Olas Altas, in front of the Deer Monument and between the Ferrusquilla and La Mujer Mazatleca statues.

On Thursday, April 2 at 7pm there will be a parade of illuminated floats along the Malecón from Av. Rafael Buelna to Calle Rigoberto Lewis. The parade will be repeated on Saturday, April 4.

A spectacular fireworks display is programed for Friday, April 3 at 10:30pm in Olas Altas Bay.
For his part, Renato Ocampo explained the Par Vial traffic diversion when all four lanes of Av. Camarón Sábalo will be one way south to north begins on April 1 and will end April 5. The change in flow begins at the intersection of Av. Rafael Buelna and Av. Del Mar.

To offer alternative routes to private communities, El Cid will open its gates to public circulation. Marlin and Tiburón boulevards in Sabalo Country, Calle Lomas de Mazatlán and Av. Gaviotas will also be open for two-way traffic.

In order to alleviate the confusion encountered last year when drivers were unaware of the traffic flow change, Ocampo advised hotels and restaurants will be given flyers on the traffic change to be handed to guests and clients.

He also announced free bus fares for tourists and locals travelling Av. Camarón Sábalo and the addition of five parking lots.

(from Municipal press releases)

Naval Combat Fireworks Delights Once Again

by Maureen Dietrich
16 Feb 15
mazmessenger.com

 

Hundreds of thousands of Mazatlecans and tourists gathered in Olas Altas and along the Malecón on Saturday night to marvel at one of the city’s most spectacular fireworks shows, the traditional Naval Combat which recreates the attack of the French fleet on the shores of Mazatlán in 1864.

 

 

 

At 10:30pm, Cultura director Raúl Rico González began the countdown despite light rain showers. The first fireworks rose out of the sea representing the first shots from the French frigate La Cordeliere. Fireworks along the beach responded with exploding missiles in the sky representing the port’s response to the attack.

 

The half hour fireworks show was accompanied by music and laser displays. At the finale, the imaginary Mazatlán troops launched their final defence with a barrage of light and sound that filled the sky much to the delight of spectators who clapped enthusiastically knowing that the invaders had been repelled.

(from Cultura press release)

Prometen un Carnaval lleno de innovaciones

noroeste.com

Yesenia Zermeño

27-01-2015

MAZATLÁN._ Innovación en la construcción de las alegorías rodantes, espectacularidad en el Combate Naval y mayor protección para la edición 117 del Carnaval Internacional de Mazatlán, forman parte de los cambios que se darán este año, aseguró el director del Instituto de Cultura, Turismo y Arte de Mazatlán, Raúl Rico González.

Esta vez serán 32 carros alegóricos, un carro temático y cuatro carrozas reales, así como una avanzada comercial de cerca de 80 vehículos, los presentes durante el desfile del domingo de Carnaval, adelantó.

Se aproxima un cambio en la estética de las carrozas que dará sorpresas en el diseño, resaltó.

"La carroza de la Reina del Carnaval está basada en el Ave Fénix, preside la fantasía, es un cuento árabe que nace de las cenizas de todas las culturas; Juegos Florales está dedicado a la danza y el pájaro de fuego, tenemos una iglesia ortodoxa griega, rusa, de cúpulas", detalló Rico González.

"Para la carroza del Rey de la Alegría, que es el pájaro de trueno, despierta la lluvia, la cosecha, la alegría, está basada en la cultura indígena norteamericana, tribu de los apaches, dedicado a la vida".

La carroza de la Reina Infantil está dedicada a la música, basada en una ópera de Mozart que se llama "La flauta mágica", un cuento de niños, donde intervienen un papageno (hombre-pájaro), y un órgano gigante al estilo de los que se tocaba en esa época, comentó.

Para el primer desfile de Carnaval, el domingo 15 de febrero, se espera un "mar" de gente sobre el Malecón mazatleco, por lo menos 500 mil personas, como el año pasado.

Además, bailarines de Brasil y Cuba estarán presentes en la máxima fiesta mazatleca, particularmente percusiones brasileñas, que harán vibrar a todos al ritmo de sus tambores a bordo de un par de carros alegóricos, continuó Rico González.

También vienen tres bandas de marcha y cinco grupos musicales mexicanos en el desfile.

El Combate Naval

Rico González destacó que una de las principales innovaciones se verá en el Combate Naval, donde el Océano Pacífico "escupirá fuego".

"Vamos a meter cuatro grúas con brazos de 4 metros hacia el mar, flamas gigantescas metidas en el mar, la idea es tener posibilidad de una pirotecnia más grande por seguridad", indicó.

"Para mejorar el sistema de sonido se contrató un sistema de satélite, se va a armar una planta-estación de radio propia, circuito cerrado, para asegurar la trasmisión".

Música, iluminación inteligente, flamas y pirotecnia por 30 minutos, formarán parte del espectáculo del sábado de Combate Naval.

Carnaval 2014 Draws to a Close

by Maureen Dietrich

 5 Mar 14  

mazmessenger.com

The Municipal Cultural Institute reported that Carnaval earned approximately 450 million pesos for the city.

Mazatlán’s Carnaval 2014 drew to a close yesterday with the lightly attended second parade along the picturesque Malecón. In stark contrast to the first parade held last Sunday, attendance to watch the second was 30 percent less, said the office of the Official Mayor.

The popular highlight of this year’s Carnaval was the performance by the internationally acclaimed Banda El Recodo in Olas Altas on March 3rd where 25,000 fans paid to enjoy the music, though unofficially police estimated 80,000 people packed Olas Altas to watch the two and a half hour show.

Municipal police reported 329 detentions during the five day party and 22 vehicle accidents resulting in 21 injuries. None of the accidents occurred in Carnaval event areas, stated Police Chief Aarón Aguilar Íñiguez, and only two people were arrested for drunk driving.

However, in the early hours of Tuesday morning after the El Recodo performance and as the crowd gathered in Plazuela Machado to continue partying, an argument broke out between two young men in front of the La Coronita bar. One of the men left to return a few minutes later with a gun and began shooting at his rival who was accompanied by friends.

During the incident, 30-year-old Mazatlecan Azucena Pacheo was shot dead and Gabriela Zataráin Wong was injured. The assailant ran into the fleeing crowd searching for his rival Juan Carlos Wong whom he shot and injured. Police immediately apprehended the shooter who was carrying a .9 millimeter handgun and took him into custody.

Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton told reporters this was an isolated incident and would not detract from the success of Carnaval 2014 with the theme “Litoralia, la piel del mar.”

And finally, the Municipal Cultural Institute reported that Carnaval earned approximately 450 million pesos for the city.

(from Noroeste)

Mazatlan Welcomes International Tourists to its 116th Carnival Celebration

digitaljournal.com

Mazatlan expects record-breaking number of tourists from around the world, contributing to an astounding one million visitors.

PR Newswire

MAZATLAN, Mexico, Feb. 27, 2014

MAZATLAN, Mexico, Feb. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazatlan, Mexico's "Colonial City on the Beach,"  is prepared to host more than one million international and domestic tourists at its Carnival 2014 celebration.  With hotels booked to capacity, thousands of day visitors expected and cruise ships in port, Mazatlan is ready to welcome a record-breaking number of guests.

From north of the Golden Zone through Mazatlan's Malecon boardwalk, Carnival showcases the Pearl of the Pacific's vibrant culture and history.  Beginning as a small religious celebration, Mazatlan's Carnival  is now a world-renowned event for tourists looking to celebrate.

"Carnival is our largest international festival, drawing in people from around the world and across Mexico," said Carlos Berdegue, President and CEO of El Cid Resorts, and vice president of the Mazatlan Hotel Association. "Carnival gets bigger and better every year, demonstrating Mazatlan's successful growth and development as a premier Mexican destination."

In 2013, the six-day festival allowed international and domestic tourists to witness parades, concerts and local traditions. For the 116^th event, Mazatlan will offer attendees even more, as it incorporates and honors the arts through cultural events and exhibitions.

This year, festival-goers from the United States and Canada are benefiting from Mazatlan's 237 percent increase in air connectivity.  Even with US Airways, Alaska Airlines, Aeromexico, Westjet and Sunwig already flying to Mazatlan, in December 2013, Delta Airlines and Sun Country added seasonal flights to the destination. Additionally, the port of Mazatlan has been buzzing since November 2013 with cruise passengers from three major cruise ships: The Norwegian Star, Azamara Quest and Holland America's ms Veendam.

Carnival kickoffs on February 27, 2014, and runs until March 4, 2014
.
About Mazatlan

Recognized for its world-class beaches, golfing, gastronomy and cultural offering, Mazatlan is an ideal vacation getaway for all ages on the Mexican Riviera: The Lighthouse (El Faro), the second-tallest natural light house in the world; experience the famous Angela Peralta Theater nearby the charming Plazuela Machado; and taste the exquisite gastronomy, whether a local pastry shop in Old Mazatlan or the world-famous seafood at The Shrimp Bucket. Go Mazatlan.  For more information about the destination please go to: www.GoMazatlan.com.