All “end of the year” parties seem to be coming to an end, yet there are some cities in Mexico were the party barely begins. The city of Yuriria, Gto., is barely getting done with their traditional celebrations and in just a few days later Moroleon and Uriangato, as well as Salvatierra will all be full of celebrations. But with out a doubt the city that will be awaiting the arrival of millions of national and international visitors is Leon de los Aldama, Gto., their state fair’s main purpose is to bring fun and joy to visitors that fill the streets for miles that from the beginning of the fair on Jan. 12 all the way to Feb. 5 will find themselves in this magnificent event that is the Feria de Leon (Leon State Fair). Considered as one of the most important in the whole country, the 24 acres that make up the fair will be full of surprises, magic and hope, with booths that will be occupied by 1,300 vendors that will offer different things like clothes, fun artifacts, and lots of Mexican cuisine. The traditional foods like sopes, huaraches, pozole and the unbeatable guacamayas are just some of the plates that will be offered. The state government estimates that there will be around 5.5 million people who come and take part in this fair. Enrique Dorantes Diaz, President of the Management of the Event, says that they hope to surpass all they accomplished the year before. In the largest shoe shop of the country there will be shoes of different brands, colors, and skins. They will be counting with the help of the Leon police and other neighboring cities. The grand inauguration will be held next Friday, at 7 p.m. with the presence of the municipal and state police and were they will receive the fair queen Ana Paola Pons Torriello. In the parade of the 431st anniversary of the founding of the city, they will count with the presence of Esthela Nuñez of Leon, who will receive the bronze harlequin, which is a medal presented to outstanding citizens of the Guanajuato. At 8 p.m. the Leon, Guanajuato night sky is filled with fireworks, it’s at this time in which cars equipped with lights and loud sound systems go around the fair accompanied with different personalities. All the people have fun at the bull fights in the Plaza de Toros la Luz (Bull Plaza), along with the round ups and rodeos. Some other attractions are the mechanical bull, El Delfinario, El Teatro del Pueblo (Town Theater), El Circo de Robert’s (Robert’s Circus), Festival on Ice, Foro de Lago Explora, Foro Arlequin, El Cortijo de la Feria and you can’t go with out the traditional outdoor concerts where there will be different artist of international fame such as Kumbia All Starz, Vicente Fernandez, la Quinta Estacion, Juan Gabriel, Pedro Fernandez, Sin Bandera, Pancho Barraza, Motel, Intocable, and Alejandro Fernandez among others. If your are going to be visiting the Mexican Republic remember that Leon, Guanajuato will be waiting with arms wide open, we’ll see each other there for the celebration on Jan. 20. The “shoe center” of the city, becomes the pride of the “Aztec country” from Jan. 12 to Feb. 5, 2007.