Feria Nacional de San Marcos facts for kids
The Feria Nacional de San Marcos (National Fair of Saint Mark) is a huge yearly fair in Aguascalientes, Mexico. It lasts for about three or four weeks. Most of the fun happens in the city of Aguascalientes, which is the state capital. The fair usually starts around April 25th, which is the special day for Saint Mark.
Long ago, the fair was connected to the grape harvest because making wine was important in Aguascalientes. Today, it's a big attraction for tourists. Millions of people visit the fair every year. Hotels get very full, and some local families even rent out their homes and go on vacation!
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Fun Activities at the Fair
The San Marcos National Fair offers many exciting things to do. An independent group organizes the fair, with help from the state and city governments.
Popular Events and Shows
Two of the most popular events are bullfighting and cockfighting. After a series of cockfights, a famous Mexican singer often performs a concert. These concerts usually draw a bigger crowd than the fights themselves.
Games, Music, and Culture
The main fairgrounds have many sponsored booths and fun mechanical games. There are also stages where different concerts and theater plays take place. The livestock fair, where animals are shown, is still a big part of the celebration. You can also find charreadas, which are like Mexican rodeos.
On the streets of Aguascalientes, people celebrate with parties called tamboras, where traditional Mexican music is played. Beyond the main fair, many concerts, art shows, and other cultural events happen all over the state. The National Award for Youth Art ceremony also takes place in Aguascalientes during the fair.
History of the San Marcos Fair
The fair first started a long time ago, from November 5 to November 20, 1828. It was a way to show off the state's farm products and livestock. Back then, it competed with other fairs in places like Acapulco and Jalapa.
Fairgrounds and Special Dates
For many years, the fair was held in a market area called the Parián in Aguascalientes. In 1842, the beautiful stone fence around San Marcos Park was built. This fence, in a style called Neoclassical, is still there today. Once San Marcos Park was finished, the fair's date was changed to April. This was done to match the celebrations for Saint Mark, the patron saint.
Bullfighting and Queens
The first bullring, San Marcos Plaza, was built very quickly in 1896. Since then, bullfighting has been part of the fair. A much larger bullring, the Monumental Plaza de San Marcos, was built in 1992. It can hold fifteen thousand people!
Since 1924, a "Queen of the Fair" has been crowned after a beauty pageant. In 2006, there was a special situation where three queens were chosen.
National Recognition and Cancellations
In 1958, the President of Mexico, Adolfo López Mateos, officially made the fair a "National" event.
The fair has been canceled only a few times in its long history. On April 26, 2009, it was canceled because of a flu pandemic. This was the first time in 181 years! Then, on July 2, 2020, it was canceled again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also canceled for a second year in a row on January 21, 2021.
See also
In Spanish: Feria Nacional de San Marcos para niños
