11th International Fireworks Symposium in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta’s candidature has won the right to stage the 11th International Fireworks Symposium, which will be held on the 20th – 24th April 2009. Our beautiful vacation town has been selected from a number of worldwide cities in countries such as Brazil and China.
The hub of this symposium will be at the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and Convention Centre and a number spectacular pyrotechnic presentations will be held at various location around Puerto Vallarta. The event is considered the world’s premiere international gathering of the pyrotechnic industry and focuses on bringing together individuals of diverse pyrotechnic background, to provide a fertile atmosphere in which to see the newest technology. The fireworks symposium also gives pyrotechnical showmen the chance to showcase their various disciplines and specialties including a number of spectacular demonstrations and shows open to the public.
Program below (still being finalised) see www.isfireworks.com for updates.
Monday 20th
Show #1 : Baseball Sports Field across from the Sheraton. 8 Traditional “Castillos de Morillo” plus Aerial Display. This is the most antique type of fireworks “castillos” still produced in Mexico and is pure living history and a great tradition in the area. A show not to be missed.
Show #2 : Puerto Vallarta Malecon. Pyromusical Tower. 45 minutes show having as the main attraction 3 towers “castillo” of 25 m in height, plus many portraits symbolizing the tradition of fireworks in Mexico.
Tuesday 21st
Show #1 : Football Field across from the Sheraton. 1 Daylight Castillo. Known as the capital of Mexican fireworks, famous for it’s large consumer fireworks manufacture, the 40 members of the group “Pirotécnicos de Tultepec” will present a daylight castillo on the beach of the Sheraton, and a large display including 3 “castillos” of 35 m in height plus a main castillo of 50 m in their pyromusical show on the evening.
Thursday 23rd
Show #1 : “Castillo Piromusical” “MEXICO ANTE EL MUNDO”. Mexico To The World is the title of the show where a long family tradition company will blend 5 traditional castillos into a pyromusical show. All their experience and master will be used to match traditional components of castillos with modern technologies to create an exciting 1 hour show.
Show #2 : Traditional “Castillo” plus Pyromusical. From San Pedro Zumpango, State of Mexico with a long tradition place in the manufacture of fireworks David Silva President of Pyro® Producciones Piromusicales S.A. de C.V. will design and fire with a FIREONE® equipment, 18 minutes of special pyromusical show with a great Castillo with double tower 30 meters high with great set pieces, shells 3”, 4”, 6”, 8” that made by Ramos Family: Alejandro Ramos Avila, Diego Ramos A., Juan Ramos A. Jose Ramos, Julio Ramos García, Misael Ramos, Gustavo Ramos, Alejandro Ramos Jr., Rogellio Ramos and Luis Ramos. In this spectacle will be fire bombettes, candles, mines and comets in 30mm and 50mm made by APM Fireworks S.A. de C.V. of Joel Hernández.
Show #3 : Vallarta Malecon. Traditional. A known town with a long tradition in the manufacture of fireworks they are also very well known for their experience, creativity and artistry having won respect among all “Maestros Pirotécnicos” in the country. Promises to show some of the most complicated set pieces in the week.
Friday 24th
Show #1 : Sports field accross from Sheraton : Traditional “Castillo” plus aerial display. From the State of Puebla, the second region of manufacturing of fireworks in the country, the Union has decided to convene the new generation to design an outstanding show for the Symposium having as main theme their State “Puebla History and Culture”. An interesting mixture of new ideas supported by the experience earned through many years of hard work and tradition. Great expectations on this show.
Show #1 : Beach at the Westin Hotel : The largest shell manufacturers in Mexico, have team up to produce a Pyromusical show specially designed for the the closing of the ISF. They will show a wide variety of aerial shells, roman candles, mines, etc. along with a sound track that incudes Opera Rock, Mariachi, Mexican Rock Band, Latin Afro Rythms and Great Voices.
CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship in Puerto Vallarta
From the 29th April to the 3rd May will be held the qualifying rounds for the FFIA Beach Soccer World Cup (set for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates November 16-22 2009).
This will be the 3rd year running that Mexico hosts the event, and the second year running in which Vallarta is the host city.
13th International Film Festival of Puerto Vallarta
Tomorrow, the 24th of March, will begin Puerto Vallarta’s 13th International Film Festival. This year’s festival will take place over 5 days at a number of different location – projecting films outdoors at the Los Arcos Amphitheater, at the CUC University and at the Cuale Cultural Center.
The full Festival program can be found on the festival’s website : http://cinefest.pv.udg.mx
Vallarta Charro Contest 2009
A few weeks ago was held one of Mexico’s National Charro competitions in Puerto Vallarta. For those who don’t know, a Charro is basically the Mexican equivalent to a cowboy – but as opposed to your classic cowboy, a Charro is always dressed in traditional clothing with the big famous sombrero. Charro competitions, or Charreadas, are team competitions where the Charro skills are put to the test and the team with the most points wins.
Charreadas are very popular in Mexico, and especially so in Jalisco. The event is real family day out and there is as much entertainment in the crowd than in the arena. This year’s Vallarta Charreada was my first, and I must say that it really was a fun day out – and one that I’d recommend to any vacationer visiting Mexico.
There were various “heats”, the most notable being the one for the longest horse skid, and the heat for the best bull-riding and catching. For an amateur photographer it’s a real treat attending an event such as this one. I’ve attached a few of my photos from this year’s event below. Enjoy !
©Jamie B. R. Robinson 2009
©Jamie B. R. Robinson 2009
©Jamie B. R. Robinson 2009
Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The 12th of December is one of Mexico’s most important religious and cultural celebrations, it is the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The day celebrates the appearance of the Virgin to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin in 1531 on a hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City.
Throughout Mexico there are numerous festivities and pilgrimages with the most famous being the pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadelupe of Mexico City, which houses the “tilma” (robe) worn by Juan Diego. History recalls that after Juan Diego saw the Virgin her image miraculously appeared on his robe and has remained ever since.
Puerto Vallarta is no exception and also celebrates this event. On the night of the 11th of December many groups of devotees organise processions and walk from the outskirts of the town towards the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The processions are usually made up civic groups, each with it’s own parade truck, music and decoration. The processions finally enter the church doors and circulate in front of the altar before leaving the side door. After the processions there is a midnight mass, and for those unable to enter the church, a large screen projector ouside shows live images from inside the church.
Throughout the night the main square of Puerto Vallarta is packed with thousands of locals and tourists enjoying this tradition. As always, the atmosphere is lively and friendly and groups of families of all ages watch the numerous parades work their way down the main avenue. It is also a great time to enjoy the variety of street foods available throughout downtown.
If you’re planning to vacation in Puerto Vallarta during this time of the year be sure not to miss these great festivities.
©Jamie B. R. Robinson 2008
©Jamie B. R. Robinson 2008
©Jamie B. R. Robinson 2008
©Jamie B. R. Robinson 2008
