La Manzanilla Rodeo Days

Here's the schedule in Spanish. From what I understand there will be no Gringo day this year. No idea why because the Gringos have been quite proud of it in the past.   Vamos a ver. Very fun event and only bull riding .... no bull killing.

La Manzanilla Rodeo and Gringo Day

I haven't been to the Rodeo since 2006 but despite my neglect it was still one of the most interesting and fun events I've attended in the area.   Gringo Day and the Rodeo are Friday but here is a 3 day rundown from the La Manzanilla message board. 

Festivities will begin the evening of February 5th. Everyone will gather on the main streets & the around the jardin at approx. 8:00 pm. A large lantern on a pole called a Farola will be paraded up & down the streets, followed by a Banda. People will begin following the Farola, moving to the beat of the music, dancing up one street, down another. Free punch (ponche) will be handed out. The street dancing goes on until 9:00/10:00. This evening announces that The Ejido will be hosting a luncheon the next day at the Casino at 2:00 pm. 

On the evening of February 6th, the same happens in the evening, this time announcing the luncheon next day at the Casino will be hosted by The Gringos (Expats, Extranjeros, etc.). 

February 7th, Gringo Day at the Casino 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Gringo volunteers will serve our home-made Birria to our Mexican friends & neighbors & guests. During the luncheon there will be dancing & a presentation or 2. After the luncheon everyone follows the Banda up to the Rodeo grounds (either by foot or by car), about 7 - 9 blocks away. Your contribution/ticket into the Casino also admits you into the Rodeo grounds (Feb 7th only). Where you will watch bull riding, dancing horses, lassoing, topped off with dancing to the Banda until sunset. The Rodeo grounds people will have refreshments & snacks for sale. 

It is a fun filled day .... come join the fun!! 

Only bull riding

The riders

Afternoon dance

La Manzanilla Rodeo 2006

La Manzanilla Rodeo 2006

This is my first visit to the Rodeo in La Manzanilla and one of the few that starts early enough to get some pictures. Friends went to one in Cihuatlan a month ago thinking it started at six and they waited until 8:30 while listening to 70,000 watts of music and an out of control disk jockey. The Fiesta going on right now in Villa Obregon (Ejido Villa Obregon Candelaria Celebration) seems to only have events in the evening ... but it goes through Monday so we'll see.

Villa Obregon Candelaria Fiesta

The La Manzanilla rodeo started with the Band marching up the hill and up to the "bandstand". The riders are introduced one at a time and then they say their prayers and hello to the crowd. After that a rider comes out every 20-30 minutes depending on how much time it takes to get the previous bull out of the ring. After the rider is off three guys on horses lasso the bull and can control his direction back to the exit gate. In between, lots of people watching, dancing, eating and beer drinking.

Comment from La Manzanilla Message board announcing ...
It’s time to rev things up for Gringo Day again, the first of La Manzanilla’s four rodeo days. This year it is Friday, Feb. 3 and, WOW!, this is the 25th Annual Gringo Day! As a review, and for those of you new to the concept, Gringo Day is when the gringos of our fair community sponsor all the rodeo action for our warmhearted Mexican neighbors as a thank you for this wonderful village we know and love so well.

More fotos of the Rodeo

Band coming up the hill

Coming out of the chute

This bull knows what to do

Kids enjoying the show

Time for dancing and beer

La Manzanilla, Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico