The organizers of Carnaval Mazatlán 2006 certainly have been working to the utmost to whip up a frenzy of enthusiasm for the forthcoming fiesta. Mazatlán’s biggest annual party and most revered tradition, its dates for 2006 are Feb. 23-28. This time around, the newly created municipal entity known as CULTURA (a Spanish acronym that stands for Commission on Culture, Tourism and Art) has the responsibility for organizing Carnaval. You can assume that the pre-Carnaval buildup, as shown on our accompanying calendar, will live up to joyous expectations. Mazatlan’s Carn-aval, an annual civic celebration for more than a century, seems to get bigger and better with every passing year. There will be more specific information about the Carnaval pageants and stars in February’s edition of the Pacific Pearl. A calendar of events for Carnaval Mazatlán 2006: JANUARY 6: First computation of votes, Plazuela Machado, 6:00pm. 15: Carnaval candidates tour the south of Sinaloa, El Rosario & Escuinapa, 9:00am 20: Pre-Carnaval presentation & second computation Presentation, Colonia Juárez, 4:30pm: Second computation: Plazuela Miguel Hidalgo, Colonia Juárez, 5:30pm FEBRUARY 3: Carnaval prelude in Mazatlán from the Bosque de la Ciudad to City Hall, Starting at4:00pm 8: Announcement of the Mazatlán Prize for Literature winner, Institute for Culture, Tourism and Art, 11:00am 10: Winner named in Antonio Lopez Saenz Prize for Painting,

Mazatlán Art Museum, 11:00am 10: Final computation of votes, Plazuela Republica, 6:00pm 11: Election of the Queens, Eduardo Fontanet Bull Ring, 7:00pm. 14: Winner of the Clemencia Isaura Prize for Poetry named, Office of the Institute for Culture, Tourism and Culture, 11:00am 16: Inauguration of the Carnaval Fair, Parking lot adjacent to Sam’s Club, 8:00pm 16: Art works in the Lopez Saenz Prize for Painting contest go on display, Mazatlán Art Museum, 6:00pm 17: An Evening of the Arts with presentation of Mazatlán Prize for Literature, Angela Peralta Theater, 8:30pm 22: Inauguration of the Carnaval Food Fair, Plazuela Machado, 8:00pm 23: Coronation of the King of Joy, Fisherman’s Monument (Paseo Claussen & Avenida Gutiérrez Nájera), 6:00pm 24: Coronation Pageant for the Juegos Florales (Flower Games) and presentation of Clemencia Isaura Poetry Prize, Teodoro Mariscal baseball stadium, 8:30pm 25: Coronation Pageant for the Queen of Carnaval, Teodoro Mariscal Stadium, 6:30pm 25: Burning in Effigy of Bad Humor, Olas Altas, 8:00pm 25: Ship-to-shore fireworks battle, Olas Altas, 11:30pm 26: First Carnaval Parade, Avenida del Mar, 5:30 p.m. 27: Children’s Ball, Salon Venados, Hotel Playa Mazatlan, 10:00am 27: Coronation Pageant for Child Queen, Teodoro Mariscal Stadium, 6:30pm 27: Coronation of the International Queen of the Pacific, Muralla Sports Club, 64 Calle Sixto Osuna, 10:30pm 28: Second Carnaval Parade, Avenida del Mar to Olas Altas, 4:00pm jackie@pacificpearl.com