To come to the Mazatlan Carnaval is an experience that one should not miss!
Mazatlán is already starting the preparation to top what it has been considered the best Carnaval in Mazatlán's history. From February 16th to 21st, the city will live again the joy and festivity of the traditional Carnaval International on it's 114 edition.
The 2012 Carnival will be a spectacular event, whose celebrants will include local, national and international participants alike, in a 24/7 fiesta that has so well characterized the communal heart of the "Mazatlecos" for over a century.
The activities featured in Mazatlán's International Carnival include: Official presentation of the candidates for King of Joy, Queen of the Floral Games, Queen of the Carnival, and Infant Queen; Crowning of the King and the Queens; "allegorical vehicles" (carriage floats) parade; the symbolic ritual of the "Bad Mood Burning," the Naval Battle; the Evening of the Arts; the "Anything Goes" Ball; the "Children's Ball," the International Pacific Queen Contest and the recognition of local artists and poets through the "Clemencia Isaura Award" for Poetry, "Mazatlán Award" for literature and the "Antonio López Sáenz Award" for painting.
Mazatlan International Carnaval is distinguished by being the only Carnaval in México and the World that combines fiesta and cultural and artistic activities.
To come to the Mazatlan Carnaval is an experience that one should not miss!
What is the Mazatlan's International Carnival?
Mazatlan's International Carnival is a seven day, multi-event celebration filled with live music, folklore, dance, entertainment and costumes depicting indigenous traditions, where diverse celebrants of all generations gather within a joyful ambience of magical exaltation.
History
The modern conception of "Carnaval" is historically traced to the public street celebrations of over a century ago, which in turn were based on the purifying seasonal rituals dating to antiquity. These early celebrations featured participants adorned in colored eggshells and scented flour and ashes, which reflected a transition from the humoristic mood to that of the grotesque. This early expression of Carnaval also carried with it vestigial features of the archaic traditions, which spoke to the dictates of chaos in the world and the tearing down of social barriers. Carnaval thus marked a brief moment when the rules were relaxed and transgressions were forgiven. Merchants and dock workers took to the fields in stone throwing confrontations.
Towards the end of the Nineteenth Century, the festival took a sociopolitical turn. The most popular form of Carnaval was organized by the military and celebrated in May of each year, to commemorate the victory of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza over the French army in Puebla.
In 1898 an assembly of Mazatlan dignitaries led by a local doctor implemented the use of carriages and bicycles in the parade, and replaced the scented flour with confetti. The Mazatlan newspaper, "La Lechuza," published the first account of the Mazatlecan Carnival.
That same year, a celebrated American beauty, Wilfrida Farme, was crowned the First Queen of the Carnival of Mazatlan, her reign supplanting the Ugly Kings and Buffoons of the grotesque era. Queen Wilfreda made her grand entrance into the city seated atop a trolley car drawn by mules, and escorted by chamberlains, ministers and an entire operatic company. Carnival 1898 also marked the first celebration of the Grand Ball of Costumes in the ballroom Círculo Benito Juárez.
21st Century Mazatlan Carnival: Festivities and Traditions
Naval Combat
Place: Olas Altas
On Saturday evening the harbor skies will glow with stunning fireworks displays, the air filled with the sights and sounds of the laser show, Naval Combat, a re-creation of the harbor's successful defense against French invasion by Mexican forces. The pyrotechnic bangs and shots simulate cannonades exchanged over sea and land during the battle between the Mazatlecos and the French man-of-war, "Le Cordeliere."
Parades
First Parade
Place: Avenida del Mar
The most highly-anticipated event of the Carnival of Mazatlan is the carriage float (or "allegorical" carriages) parade, which takes place on Sunday. The waterfront is transformed into a sea of thousands, Mazatleco families and visitors gathering to enjoy the parade of fantasies conceived by carriage float creator Rigoberto Lewis
Second Parade
Place: Avenida del Mar
The second celebration takes place the following Tuesday, when Mazatlecans bid farewell to the procession as the carriages travel the waterfront line southwards. In this second parade, the Royal Court, Joy characters, thematic groups and other participants join together in a multi-colored swath through the Carnival zone along the Paseo de Olas Altas.
Both events are free.
Crownings
Crowning of the King of Joy
Free Event
In its early origins the Carnival included the election of the Ugly King, the male protagonist of the Carnival festivities. Since 1965, the title of Sovereign was changed to King of Joy, reaffirming the positive spirit underlying Carnival.
Crowning of the Queen of Floral Games
Each year, the creative intelligence of poets receive due homage during the Floral Games of the Carnival, in a multiple consecration event. A Poet Laureate crowns the Queen, who in turn delivers the Natural Flower and Poetry prizes. The Clemencia Isaura Poetry Award has since 1937 also occupied a prominent place in the Carnival agenda. The judges of the Poets Laureate are Carlos McGregor Giacinti, Rosario Uriarte, Herminio Martínez, Abigael Bohórquez, Juan José Arreola, Pita Amor, Franco Hernández, José Esquinca y Miriam Moscona, among many others.
Crowning of the Queen of Carnival
Perhaps the most anxiously-awaited event of the city-harbor is the competition for the most beautiful among a stunningly beautiful class of competitors. The winner becomes the icon of the Carnival after a stringent competition in which grace, appearance, intelligence and beauty are a must in winning this coveted distinction.
Crowning of the Child Queen
The Crowning of the Child Queen takes place on Monday. Its origins are traced to 1921, the ritual since then repeated annually. The crowning of the Child Queen of the Carnival and the Child Queen of Poetry are augmented by the performances of nationally-known popular singers.
Pacific International Beauty Queen
The participation of the Queens from Central and South America and the United States adds an international flavor to the Carnival festivities. The visiting beauties participate in the spectacular Carnival parades, and also compete for the title of Pacific International Queen.
Children's Grand Ball
The Children's Grand Ball provides the children of the city-harbor a festive space especially designed for them. Escorted by their parents, the children engage in a test of their imaginative skills in the Funny Costume Contest, donning costumes of their own design in a high-spirited pageant of joyful competition.
Bad Mood Burning
A symbolic ritual accomplished by the incineration of a marionette, the Bad Mood Burning (or "Quema de Mal Humor") vanquishes all ill feelings from the Mazatlan shores.
Former Themes of Mazatlan Carnival
This year's theme is entitled, "The Return of the Muses." Previous themes were:
YEAR | NAME |
1943 | Victory Carnival |
1962 | Sea, Love and Fantasy |
1963 | Fantasy at the Riviera |
1964 | Oriental Fantasy |
1965 | There was no theme. It was announced as "Musical parade with International Notes" |
1966 | There was no theme |
1967 | Fantasy of Old Times |
1968 | Around the World in Pursuit of Joy |
1969 | European Fantasy Carrousel |
1970 | The greatest show on Earth (The Musicals) |
1971 | One thousand and one fantasies |
1972 | Once Upon a Time... (A long journey to fable and legend) |
1973 | The Great Jewels of Song |
1974 | At the beat of Illusion (Films of yesterday, today and tomorrows) |
1975 | Joy is the color of the World |
1976 | Nights of Mazatlán |
1977 | One Thousand Faces of Dance |
1978 | An Almanac of Adventures |
1979 | Masquerade, Love and Fantasy |
1980 | Splendor of all Five Continents |
1981 | The Wonderful World of Fantasy |
1982 | Fantasy of the Seven Seas |
1983 | Music, Love and and Streamers |
1984 | The Dazzling Kingdom of Spectacle |
1985 | A Toast to Past |
1986 | Where Dreams Come True |
1987 | Gold of Fantasy |
1988 | Wonders of the World |
1989 | Unforgettable Hollywood |
1990 | If Versailles knew |
1991 | Let the Tambora Band Follow Me ! |
1992 | Viva América |
1993 | From myth to gossip (mitote) |
1994 | Mazatlán of my Memories |
1995 | Festivitiess and y Traditions of México |
1996 | The Origins |
1997 | The Evolution |
1998 | The First Century |
1999 | Winds of Epic |
2000 | Millennium |
2001 | ...And let the music sound! |
2002 | Passion for Carnivals |
2003 | Evoking the Stars |
2004 | Glory and Splendor |
2005 | The Warmth of the People |
2006 | Spirits of Sea and Wind |
2007 | Spells of Old Harbor |
2008 | Faraway Stories |
2009 | Universal Fantasy |
2010 | With Patriotic Fervor! |
| 2011 | The Return of the Muses |
Name of the Queens of Carnival
YEAR | NAME |
| 2011 | Abigail García |
| 2010 | Astrid Macías |
2009 | Wendy Ponce |
2008 | Olga Rodríguez |
2007 | Lucía Aikens |
2006 | Ana Carolina Escobar |
2005 | Alexia Medrano Henderson |
2004 | Miriam Jazmín Bayardo |
2003 | Adriana Berenice Ramírez Tirado |
2002 | Rocío Sarahí Osuna Solero |
2001 | Estrella Palacios |
2000 | Pamela Farriols López |
1999 | Lai Hing Audelo Chio |
1998 | Claudia Yahaira Osuna |
1997 | Linda De Rueda Cevallos |
1996 | Abris Ileana Tiznado Magaña |
1995 | Lissy María Bernal Osuna |
1994 | Celia Gloria Chávez Carrasco |
1993 | Amina Blancarte Tirado |
1992 | Kathia Berenice Morales Luna |
1991 | Leticia Arellano Rentería |
1990 | Rocío del Carmen Lizárraga Lizárraga |
1989 | Maria del Rosario Simancas Espinoza |
1988 | Rebeca Barrios de Cima |
1987 | Kathia Hann R. |
1986 | Laila Rodríguez Bosch |
1985 | Laura Almada Valdés |
1984 | Elizabeth Carrillo Iturrios |
1983 | María Teresa Osuna Valdés |
1982 | Rocío Molina Malacón |
1981 | Gladys del Carmen Sánchez Palomares |
1980 | Ana Isabel Magdaleno Alarcón |
1979 | Patricia Gorostiza N. |
1978 | Perla González García |
1977 | María de los Ángeles Torres |
1976 | Eleonora Margarita Aguilar |
1975 | Yolanda de Rueda Alatorre |
1974 | María Teresa Bastidas L. |
1973 | Gabriela Rivera Unger |
1972 | Elvira Gloria Torrero |
1971 | Rosario Nafarrate Cañedo |
1970 | Libia Zulema López Monemayor |
1969 | Adelina Álvarez Sandoval |
1968 | Irma Tirado Canizalez |
1967 | Vicky Tirado Almada |
1966 | Laura Fárber Loaiza |
1965 | Martha Rochín |
1964 | Lupita Osuna |
1963 | Lucina Rosete Aragón |
1962 | Isela Wong Ramos |
1961 | Anita de Rueda Alatorre |
1960 | Lupita Rosete Aragón |
1959 | Martha Cecilia "Pequi" Tirado Almada |
1958 | Anabella González Guereña |
1957 | Rosa María Osuna Righetti |
1956 | Lupita Rosa Bastidas |
1955 | Teresa Gómez Millán Tirado |
1954 | Teresa Olga Osuna Righetti |
1953 | Emilia Carreón Cornejo |
1952 | Dora González Guereña |
1951 | Charito Barraza |
1950 | Olga Otañez Elenes |
1949 | Anita Osuna |
1948 | Cuquita Cruz |
1947 | Rosa María Olmeda |
1946 | Gloria Osuna |
1945 | Gloria Pérez Echegaray |
1944 | Lucila Medrano |
1943 | Laura Elena Venegas y Miguel Estavillo |
1942 | Gloria Arregui y Ernesto Coppel Campaña |
1941 | Adelina Marín |
1940 | Isabel Coppel |
1939 | Alicia Haas M. |
1938 | Amelia Ernestina Duhagón |
1937 | Venancia Arregui |
1936 | Adela Bohner |
1935 | Bertha Ruffo |
1934 | Beatriz Blancarte |
1933 | María Teresa Tirado E. |
1932 | Josefina Laveaga |
1931 | María Emilia Millán |
1930 | Bertha Urriolagoitia |
1929 | Julieta González |
Names of Queens of Floral Games
YEAR | NAME |
| 2011 | Vanessa Gurrola |
| 2010 | Karen Tirado |
2009 | Corina Beltrán |
2008 | Yolanda Nevárez |
2007 | Nallely Navarro |
2006 | Karina Xibillé Nieto |
2005 | Armida Benítez Olivas |
2004 | Rosy Guadalupe Beltrán |
2003 | Geovanna Isaai Bernal Rodríguez |
2002 | Fabiola Ortega Ramos |
2001 | Karina Dueñas |
2000 | Jazmín Gloria Malcampo Mendoza |
1999 | Tania Álvarez Mexia |
1998 | Alma Angélica Loaiza |
1997 | Paloma Palacios |
1996 | Karla Arámburo |
1995 | Esmeralda Magaña |
1994 | Karina Lizette López |
1993 | Celia Jáuregui Ibarra |
1992 | Delia Alejandra Montaño |
1991 | Lolita Madueños |
1990 | Libia Zulema Farriols López |
1989 | Gládyz América López Ibarra |
1988 | Ana Fabiola Osuna Corona |
1987 | Laura Rojo Fárber |
1986 | Lupita Rosa Zatarain Castro |
1985 | Herlinda Vercellino |
1984 | Marisela Tirado Vizcarra |
1983 | Celeste Margarita Ojeda Iñiguez |
1982 | Irma Guadalupe Ríos Portillo |
1981 | Georgina Reyes Guerra |
1980 | Cielo Rosa Elorriaga |
1979 | Sonia del Carmen González Rodríguez |
1978 | Lorena Xibille |
1977 | Lucy Favela |
1976 | Karla Henderson |
1975 | July McLennan Huerta |
1974 | Celia Chio Cortés |
1973 | Lupita Elorriaga |
1972 | Alma Rosa Chio Cortés |
1971 | Rosa María López Arregui |
1970 | Cristina Reynaud |
1969 | Juany Arámburo Zataráin |
1968 | Patricia Guevara |
1967 | Socorrito Cruz Corona |
1966 | Ruth Avilés |
1965 | María Elena Rodríguez |
1964 | Loreta de Rueda |
1963 | Elba Alicia Tostado |
1962 | Hortensa Freeman |
1961 | Alma Valadez |
1960 | Lupita Rosete Aragón |
1959 | Martha Cecilia "Pequi" Tirado Almada |
1958 | Anabella González Guereña |
1957 | Lucila Llausás |
1956 | Jannette Collard |
1955 | Teresa Gómez Millán Tirado |
1954 | Teresa Olga Osuna Righetti |
1953 | Emilia Carreón Cornejo |
1952 | Dora González Guereña |
1951 | Charito Barraza |
1950 | María Elvira Patrón |
1949 | Martha Benítez |
1948 | Liliana Martínez |
1946 | Esther Coppel |
1945 | Gloria Pérez Echegaray |
1944 | Carmina de Rueda |
1943 | Dora Gastelum |
1942 | María Luisa Espinoza de los Monteros |
1941 | Laura Delia Haas |
1940 | Lucila Medrano |
1939 | Alicia Coppel |
1938 | Dora Gudelia Aspinwall |
1937 | Ana María Alatorre |
1934 | Beatriz Blancarte |
1928 | María Alvarado |
1925 | Margarita Cruz (Reina de los Juegos Florales de la Feria Regional de Noroeste) |
Names of Kings of Jolly
YEAR | NAME |
| 2011 | Berny Camacho |
| 2010 | Tomás Antonio “El Centenario” |
2009 | Banda "El Recodo" |
2008 | Gregorio Romero |
2007 | Saul Maldonado |
2006 | Aarón González González |
2005 | Gerardo López Torres |
2004 | "El Compa" Julian |
2003 | José Ángel Ledesma Q. "El Coyote" |
2002 | Ángel Javier Rembao Hernández |
2001 | Daniel Osuna |
2000 | Julio Preciado |
1999 | Mario Medina "El Tequilero" |
1998 | Miguel Higuera "El Cafetero Asoleado" |
1997 | Jesús Morales "Chuyito I" |
1995 | Alonso Casillas "El Choncho" |
1994 | Jorge Alfredo Gallegos |
1993 | Óscar Valdés |
1992 | Arturo Tello |
1991 | José Ramón Serrano "El Puma" |
1990 | José Ramón Salas Casillas "El Chino" |
1989 | Ramón Loaiza "El Salvaje" |
1988 | El Pollero Salas |
1987 | Pedro Sarabia "El Chuco" |
1986 | José Manuel Orozco "El compadre" |
1985 | Adán López "El Morsa" |
1984 | Víctor Manuel Chavarín |
1983 | Juan Diego Páez "El Ostión Feliz" |
1982 | Jerónimo Marco "El Pirata" |
1981 | José Ángel Lizárraga "Papucho" |
1980 | H{ector Manuel Mendoza |
1979 | Daniel Herrera "Sanfarinfas" |
1978 | Armando Osuna P. "El Boyte" |
1977 | Jesús Vega García "El Tambito I" |
1976 | Teófilo Montes "Macho-Macho" |
1975 | Jorge Mata "Babalú" |
1974 | No hubo |
1973 | No hubo |
1972 | No hubo |
1971 | No hubo |
1970 | José Trinidad Aldás "El Conejo" |
1969 | José Luis Flores "Kid Turista" |
1968 | Rodolfo Ramos "El Chocolate" |
1967 | No hubo |
1966 | Salvador Curiel "Lotario" |
1966 | El Pely |
1965 | Adolfo Tío Pifas |