September we celebrate Fiestas Patrias. Three young women are elected candidates for the Queen of the Fiesta, the winner being decided by a vote. She will represent the pueblo as la Reina de las Fiestas Patrias.
On the 15th of September, various traditional games, sports and contests are organized throughout the day. After 4 pm. there are events in the plaza, a popular one being the greased pole, "palo encebado," where a 6-meter pole is liberally greased with lard, and children must try to shimmy up it in order to grab the donated prizes, which are fastened along its height. Also, a pig may be greased and set loose in the plaza; the lucky person who manages to catch it, gets to take it home. There are bicycle contests, challenges and prizes.
When night falls, people gather in front of the Delegacion Municipal where singers accompanied by Mariachis, regale the crowd with patriotic songs. There will also be a Ballet Folklorico, where popular dances will be enacted such as La Negra, Guadalajara, and El Jaribe Tapatio.
When the Queen and her princesses arrive, it's time to pay tribute to Mexico, and the Mexican flag. Someone will read the constitution out loud, after which the Delegado will usually lead the cheer of Viva Mexico! Long live Mexico! Long live Miguel Hidalgo and Costilla! Long live the heroes of Mexican Independence! Then, the church bells will ring out, much as they did when Don Miguel Hidalgo, ordered them rung when Mexican Independence was finally achieved. The night is topped off by a large dance in the plaza, with musicians, citizens and foreigners, celebrating into the late evening.
On the 16th of September, Dia de la Independencia, there will be a civic parade, which gets underway at 9:30 am. All the schools of the area will participate, along with sports teams, charros, as well as La Reina de la Fiesta and her princesses. The parade will run along Constitucion, and Ocampo until arriving in 6 Corners, then will return by Hidalgo to the plaza. Afterwards, honors will again be made to the flag.
At night, the Queen distributes prizes to the winners of the various contests throughout the day. She will then promenade around the plaza, adorned with Flores de Santa Maria and accompanied by mariachi. Traditionally, the people she passes thrw confetti and flowers to celebrate the 16th of September in Ajijic.
