Premier Culinary, Cultural and Sporting Special Events and Celebrations
Scheduled for 2005
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO Puerto Vallarta’s Tourism Board announces a full schedule of special events, celebrations and festivals this fall. From art to gastronomy, Golf to Sailfish, Puerto Vallarta has the special event for every traveler. 2005 offer a wide variety of options for planning a trip to the cultural capital of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta.
November 1, 2005 All Soul’s Day (Día de Todos Santos)
On this day, Mexicans pay homage to the souls of the children who have passed on. Tradition states that the departed descend from the heavens on this day, so family members prepare for their arrival by leaving sugar skeletons, skulls and treats on altars custom-designed for the occasion. Each year City Hall offers a special alter exhibition, as does the Cultural Center on Rio Cuale Island. Restaurants, nightclubs and stores also create altars.
November 2, 2005 Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)
Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), a Mexican celebration, is a day to celebrate, remember and prepare special foods in honor of those who have departed. On this day in Mexico, the streets near the cemeteries are filled with decorations of papel picado , flowers, candy calaveras (skeletons and skulls), and parades. It is believed that the spirit of the dead visit their families on October 31 and leave on November 2. In order to celebrate, the families make altars and place ofrendas (offerings) of food such as pan de muertos baked in shapes of skulls and figures, candles, incense, yellow marigolds known as cempazuchitl (also spelled zempasuchil) and most importantly a photo of the departed soul is placed on the altar. Locals dress up and the Department of Culture has a Prize Ceremony to honor the best costumes.
November 6-14, 2005 – Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas
The annual Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas will showcase contemporary, full-length films and documentaries from North and South America. The breadth of programming allows for a wide range of productions. During the festival days, participating hotels will sponsor Talking Pictures, interactive groups that bring together film students, makers and buffs to discuss all aspects of the filmmaking process. The following awards will be announced at the closing ceremony on November 13, 2005: John Huston Maverick Awards for Best Film and Best Director; Richard Burton Thespian Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress; Gabriel Figeroa Award for Best Cinematography; Emilio Fernandez Award – a monetary award for promising film student; Elizabeth Taylor Humanitarian; and the Tequila Audience Award for Best Film. For further information, please visit the website at www.puertovallartafilm.com.
November 11 - 13, 2005 – 4th Copa Vallarta Golf Tournament
The fourth annual Copa Vallarta Golf Tournament will take place on some of the best courses in Puerto Vallarta, the competition will end on November 13th. Cash prizes will be awarded.
Professionals and amateur golfers, national or foreign can participate in the tournament as long as they can show proof of their handicap (amateurs only) by means of a computerized handicap or GHIN card from their home course or a letter signed by the participant’s Club Professional.
For more information, please visit www.vallartagolf.com.
November 11-21, 2005 – Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival
Mexico’s premier culinary event is the annual Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival. Over a period of 10 days, the festival showcases a spicy blend of culinary talents between the local chefs at participating restaurants and over 20 guest chefs from internationally acclaimed restaurants and hotels throughout the world. The Epicurean fete features gourmet cooking classes, sunset wine tasting and special gourmet menus at all participating venues available to diners only during the festival. Founded in 1995, the festival has continued to attract over 20,000 attendees each year, and the organizers expect the numbers to increase significantly in 2005 for the 11th anniversary of this successful festival. www.festivalgourmet.com
November 17-20, 2005 – International Sailfish Tournament
The state of Jalisco’s renowned 50th International Sailfish Tournament (Torneo Internacional Jalisco Pez Vela) one of the most prestigious and traditional national and international tournament on the West Coast hosts hundreds of anglers of all ages. Anglers will compete daily to win prizes for catching sailfish, marlin, dorado and tuna in the waters of Banderas Bay. Award categories range from Best Classified Lady, Best Classified Kid (up to 14 years old) and Best Classified Crew to Largest Fish and First To Catch. The exciting program includes a welcome dinner, an Inauguration Ceremony, a nightly ‘Reception of the Day’s Catch’ dinner, the grand Award Dinner. Featured prizes range from brand new cars to fishing rods and reels, trophies, mountings for caught fish, silver medals, outboard motors and a large cash prize. For more information on the event, log on to www.fishvallarta.com.
November 22-28, 2005 - Puerto Vallarta Art Festival
Each November, the exceptional Festival de las Artes takes place, featuring a long series of art gallery shows and open-air, beachside theater performances & music concerts. An impressive range of artwork is displayed from artists throughout Mexico. All events are free to the public, and 2005 will mark the event’s nine year.
December 1 – 12, 2005 – "Guadalupe" Processions
During these twelve days, processions take place to the Guadalupe Processions; during these twelve days, take place to the downtown cathedral that bears the name of the patron saint of both Puerto Vallarta and of Mexico. Guadalupe Day (Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), is celebrated on December 12, 2005 and almost every business, hotel, restaurant, neighborhood and civic association makes a procession to the church for a special mass they have devoted to the Virgin. For the larger groups, these processions resemble a small parade, with folkloric dancers, floats, singing and even fireworks following their brief mass. The Tourist Department downtown displays a poster each year listing the day and time of each organization’s scheduled processions.
December 6 – 12, 2005 International Festival of Tequila
Puerto Vallarta is proud to host the International Festival of Tequila featuring more than 20 producers of the most important brands of tequilas available today. The festival will highlight the most important tradistions in Mexico. The best product specialists, such as sommeliers and tasters, as well as government representatives, will meet in conferences and specialized workshops to share the latest information about each product. The Mexican National Drink, Tequila, will be featured prominently, further securing its reputation as one of the most prestigious “Origin” drinks in the world. www.deorigen.com.mx
December 12, 2005 Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe
This important religious and social holiday marks the anniversary of the day the Virgin Guadalupe made her miraculous appearance to a peasant in Mexico. The processions (see above) culminate on this day. On this day, fireworks abound and the central plaza is filled with people street vendors selling fruits and other local specialties. This date also marks Puerto Vallarta’s “birthday.” In 1851, Don Guadalupe Sánchez Torres founded Puerto Vallarta, when he brought his family and a few friends to settle in an area alongside the Cuale River.
December 12, 2004 – Anniversary of the Foundation of Puerto Vallarta
Special ceremony at the City Hall Council, and Fiesta at the malecon. The founding of Puerto Vallarta by Don Guadalupe Sanchez Torres in 1851.
December 17-25, 2005 - Christmas Week.
All over Mexico, families, businesses and neighborhoods celebrate the holidays with parties, known as “posadas.” This tradition is a re-enactment of Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. Processions are formed to designated houses and carrying candles, the people ask for lodging through a melodic song. The host will refuse several times before finally opening wide the door, signifying the start of the party. The main Christmas celebration is a traditional family dinner on Christmas Eve, followed by Midnight Mass.
December 31, 2005 -- New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve generates vibrant fiestas throughout Puerto Vallarta at hotels, nightclubs and homes. In a very special celebration, people get together at the Malecon in Viejo Vallarta, and in Olas Altas Street at Playa de Los Muertos Beach. Special Diners are served in the hotels and fine restaurants. Some of the have live music to dance, if not you will find live music at the Latin music night clubs, until 6 A.M.
About Puerto Vallarta:
Puerto Vallarta was selected by CONDE NAST TRAVELER readers as the eighth best destination in the world in their annual “Reader’s Choice Awards” in the November 2001 issue, as well as number one international destination because of the “remarkable amiability of the local folk.” Puerto Vallarta was the only destination in Mexico that made the list. Located on the Western Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta’s charm remains largely undiscovered, along with its cobblestone streets, stunning beaches, plentiful marine life, lush Sierra Madre Mountains, exceptional restaurants, fine Gourmet Festival, new golf courses and vibrant art culture. For more information about Puerto Vallarta, call your travel agent or toll-free at 888-384-6822, or direct at (52) 322 22 41175; fax: (52) 322 22 40915. Log on at www.visitpuertovallarta.com. |
