Chihuahua, Mexico: Chihuahua rolled out their brightest hospitality blanket to welcome the PBR to their fair State beginning with a concert by Tracy Byrd on Wednesday night. On Thursday, the City hosted a huge parade, with cowboys and vaqueros on horseback, a stagecoach float, a float depicting a bucking bull with many of the riders aboard, the PBR semi’s, and many, many other trucks and participants. Barb Pinnella and I had the pleasure of riding on the Stagecoach float and were able to see the joy on the faces of the children and adults alike, firsthand. It was great fun and a real tribute to the PBR.
After the parade, the State’s Governor was hosting a welcome party at the Governor’s Palace. Barb and I became a bit lost and ended up being rescued by the Mayor of Chihuahua, Mayor Juan Blanco. Mayor Blanco very kindly had us taken to the his office, located in the Palacio Municipal, a building that is 100 years old and simply put, just gorgeous! He gave us a personal tour of not only the building, but of the story, past and present of Chihuahua. What a wonderful host and person! His hard work and devotion to his job shows through in every gesture and word.
Chihuahua is absolutely a place for everyone. In February they host a mountain bike ride and get upwards of 500 riders who travel in from everywhere for this 50 kilometer event. In April, the City hosts “Children’s Day” with events and a parade all in celebration of the children. May brings the Santa Rita’s fair with a wide variety of art and cultural events.
In June, it’s the Chihua’s Biker’s Fest, where more than 1200 bikers show up and participate in races, a rodeo biker’s event and many other bike oriented contests. In August, it is the PBR Country Fest, with the top bull riders in the world performing in three separate performances, country music concerts, dancing and more.
October brings the International Festival of Chihuahua, a celebration of the City’s founding. In 2009, the city will be 300 years old. Mayor Blanca and his staff have been working hard to make sure that this Festival will be one to be remembered for yet another century.
The month of November hosts The Balloon Fest. Chihuahua is a sister city to Albuquerque, New Mexico and balloonists from the United States, Mexico and England have been taking full advantage as Chihuahua holds their own balloon festival each year. The balloons paint the skies during the day and are lit and on display in the evenings. Mayor Blanca rode in one of the balloons, and really enjoyed that experience. “It’s very slow, like in slow motion. There’s no noise. It’s like a peaceful way to get with yourself and with nature.” He also explained that there is a bit of excitement involved as well. “It’s called Splash n’ Dash. They actually splash down into the Rio Grande and come back up. They have to be very good pilots to do this.”
There are many, many lovely hotels here as well. We happen to be staying at the Westin Soberano, which is absolutely beautiful. The service is fantastic; the rooms are lovely and have lots of room for clothing and belongings. The staff is wonderful and the food is to die for!
What a lovely, hospitable place this is to come to. The drive from El Paso to Chihuahua, approximately five hours, is easy and really beautiful. The closer you get to the City, the prettier the landscape becomes, with rolling pastures and fields full of crops. Then you enter into the thriving metropolis that is Chihuahua. For those of us who are pure tourists at heart, there are many things to do. You can visit the Revolution Museum, which is the house that Pancho Villa lived in during the Mexican Revolution. You can go to the City Cathedral with its 40-meter tall twin towers, or visit the Guadalupe Sanctuary, built in 1793. There is shopping galore, or caves and mining towns to visit. In town there are many beautiful bronze monuments and there is a Chihuahua Dog Parade, reminiscent of the Chicago Cow Parade, with 33 themed Chihuahua dog sculptures lining the walkway.
Mayor Blanca takes great pride in Chihuahua being the only city in Latin American to be accredited by the Commission and Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. At the request of the City, this association was asked to inspect the security forces and police agencies here in Chihuahua. They passed with flying colors and were given this prestigious award.
The Governors Palace is another place to visit. It houses an alter to Hidalgo and the history of Chihuahua from the 16th century until the Mexican Revolution can be seen in the Pina Mora’s mural works. We were very fortunate to be invited to the Welcome Party hosted by Governor Jose Reyes Baeza. It was wonderful! The atmosphere is filled with history and elegance. There was live entertainment and wonderful food. Everyone had a great time and the hospitality shown by the Governor was very much appreciated.
All in all, this is one terrific place! I would highly recommend that you coordinate a visit with one of the events (particularly the PBR event!) held here. The city is great, the people are wonderful, the accommodations great, and the Mayor simply charming, as was his lovely assistant, Belem Rosendo.
We WILL be back!
Until next time….
Linda Peterson
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