By Carola Rico
Photo by Sean Reagan
After two years of not having the famous Locos parade due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration returns in 2022. It is an old local tradition connected to the celebration of San Antonio de Padua. Thousands of people in costumes parade through the streets of the historic center in floats or on foot. The participants or «Locos» are dressed up as artists, politicians, historical personalities, movie characters, or famous people from popular culture.
According to official information, the Los Locos parade will take place on Sunday, June 19, Father’s Day, starting at 10am. They will leave from the Hotel Real de Minas along Salida a Celaya and will follow a path along the following streets: Ancha de San Antonio, Zacateros to Canal, then up to Hernández Macías heading towards Insurgentes. After that they will go through Pepe Llanos, toward Mesones, Juárez, and San Francisco, to finally end up by the Jardin Principal.
There will be participation from the Public Security Police Station, with approximately 90 troops on duty, four pairs of K9s, five mounted police officers, 10 motorcyclists, and additional support of the inter-municipal operation, with approximately six units with 17 elements. Municipal Civil Protection will have 40 elements, nine automotive units, and three aerial units (drones); Red Cross will allocate 60 elements, nine ambulances, and a rescue unit. The Civil Protection of the Municipality of Comonfort will offer support with six elements and a motorized pump unit. Breathalyzer tests will be carried out before and during the event on the members of the cuadros (squads).
The participants are grouped by squads, who celebrate with dances, performances related to whichever character they portray, or by simply waving from their carriages or on foot as they give out sweets to the spectators. The parade is organized by the representatives of the Cuadro del Parque, Cuadro Antiguo, Cuadro Nuevo, and Cuadro del Tecolote. The municipality oversees coordinating logistics to maintain the safety of both spectators and participants. The festival is a big attraction to everyone because it is so colorful and draws a large crowd.
Participation of at least 4,000 people is expected, with approximately 50 allegorical cars, and attendance of more than 100,000 spectators. To safeguard the safety of all attendees, the offices of Public Safety, Municipal Traffic, and Civil Protection will deploy a prevention and recommendation operation to maintain order during the event. They will also oversee the safety and well-being of minors as this is a massive event in open spaces, in the heat of the sun.
