Feb 21, 2012
Mazatlan, Carnivale ~ part 2
We had a fabulous time last night. The actual parade lasted two hours. We could see that some of the performers on the floats were already sagging and they still had a long way to go….some were so very very young.
Throughout the entire parade the crowd was captivated by the floats, the marching bands, the street dancers, the aerobics and the music. Colin found it difficult to put the theme together ( Party of the Empires ) with the Mexican music each float played. We saw many many familes out with their children, often letting them wander off with no concern for their safety. It was wonderful to see such a well behaved crowd.
Once the parade was over, within 20 minutes the barriers were down and put into trucks and the street was being tidied. What great organization. In Vancouver,BC, when we have the Symphony of Fire fireworks it takes 3 hours to move 3 blocks. We were back on the Isla within 45 minutes of the parade being over, including taking a pulmonia, a panga and driving back home from the embarcadero.
We think that next time we go, which may be as early as next year, we will simply go to the beginning of the parade route, watch, and then head back to the Plazuela Machado for drinks and dinner. We loved the vantage point we had and it was worth the long wait but we want to try something different.
Anyone care to join us? Meanwhile I hope you enjoy a selection of parade photos.
Some of the street dancers....
This Chinese acrobat swung all around his moving float. By the way this is the only photo I took!
Again, that perfect sunset!
Flying confetti was a huge part of many of the floats!
The Queen of Carnaval
The lady in white stood still like a statue but was human as were the soldiers in this Russian themed float. She didn't even seem to be shivering.
Stunning float
So much color and attention to detail.
One of my favorties, the famed Faberge Eggs from Russia, of which I have been fortunate to be able to have seen over one hundred of them while in Europe one summer.
More beautiful maidens....
The Child Queen of France!
Rome
Colin took these photos as the parade was in motion. He shot without a tripod and he panned his camera at the same speed as the float was passing by in order to achieve sharp focus. Mucho gracias Colin!!
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Wow, really fantastic photos you guys! Love them!
By the way, I put a link on Facebook and also on Twitter… might bring you some new readers, who knows?
Smooch!
Gorgeous photos – love all the colors – looks like a great time – thanks for sharing!
Wonderful photos Colin!!
What breathtaking photos! My nighttime shots look like I’d already gotten to the worm.
Of course Colin’s photos are much better than my amateur ones! We left the parade at about 8:10 and were back at the resort by 9:00, so we did almost as well as you!
Excellent pictures Collin thanks for your expertise!
When we did the parade we walked parade route back to the beginning after the pre parade, hopped on the panga, met a lot of the people in the parade before they were going, saw the floats and were back before sunset, My bad back had to go home.
Great pictures Love them. Contessa I will certainly try to be there next year for
The carnaval primero dios, I just miss all the fun, I will be posting soon on my blog I have been busy
Preparing for my move in June finally. I am so glad amigos that you guys had an awesome
Time @ the carnaval. Take care lots of hugs & blessings.
WOW what wonderful pictures – great Job Colin…they sure put alot of work into their floats…gorgeous-so glad you had a good time…sounds like their organizing skills are perfectly honed…
Great photos! Thanks for posting!
Loved the photos and the descriptions. Fantastic night shots!
Incredibly beautiful pictures. Just fantastic.
Wow, wow, and wow. What great fun !! Glad you were able to share with all of us !
Take care … Trent and Teresa
wonderful photos, and beautiful floats.
Wonderful photos. Just love all the colours, they have really out done themselves. Glad that you had such a good time.
Kevin and Ruth
Fabulous photos!!!!! The floats pictured here were by far much more impressive than those of two years ago. Well done Mazatlan!!!!! Now for the tourists to return.
I am just curious about how much a float costs. Do the floats have company or corporate sponsors? If not, how do the organizers pay for the floats. I have been to Mexico many times and I know the local people are not wealthy; most are poor. Just wondering. The floats were more elaborate, fancy and sophisticated than I had anticipated. Sounds like you had a great time.
I enjoy reading your blog almost daily. Take care.
Ray….here is and answer from Nancy re the floats….
Sorry, I don’t have any idea. If I were looking into it I would probably start with the Carnaval website and also Cultura. I would say that that they are all sponsored, either by the city or by large companies like Ley, Noroeste, etc. Most of the tractors pulling the floats had sponsor signage on them. Rigoberto Lewis is the main designer and he is a beloved Mazatlan Icon. I just googled him to make sure I had his name right and a You Tube about his career making them came up, I haven’t watched the whole thing yet but I will. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX8KMnDS4BU
We have once again thoroughly enjoyed your blog this past winter. We especially liked your recent coverage of the Carnival….makes us seriously want to witness it next year.
We have been in Rincon de Guatabitos since Nov 1st. Sadly it is time to start planning our return to BC.