The Castillos Gigantes (Giant Castles) Feria in the Santiago Zapotitlán neighborhood of Mexico City wrapped up this past Sunday in the midst of an unexpected power outage. Throughout the week-long festival there were incredible fireworks displays, all-day street fairs, nightly live bands, drinking, dancing and amusement park rides. Friday’s featured attraction was a lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) event that took place in the plaza.
Crowds forming in the plaza in Santiago Zapotitlán
I wasn’t expecting such a large turnout given that the event took place between 12pm and 3pm Friday afternoon, but the plaza was completely packed with spectators and roaming street vendors.
Another view of people crowding into the plaza
Spectators gathered on the stages that had been set up in the plaza. Empty during the daytime, at night bands would take over these stages, even more people would crowd into the plaza and everyone would dance late into the night. Personal space was definitely at a minimum during Friday’s lucha libre event.
The crowds cheered as the luchadores took to the ring
Several famous luchadores (wrestlers) showed up to take part in the free event including everyone’s favorite Super Porky a short, stocky fellow who just happens to be one of the most famous luchadores in Mexico, or so I’m told. Either way, he was a big hit with the kids in the audience and it was a really fun, interactive and family-friendly event.
People did just about anything they could to get a good view of the action
The crowds continued to grow throughout the afternoon. In an attempt to get a better view of the famous luchadores these kids took to standing on the top of an old bus that had somehow ended up in the middle of the plaza. Friday’s lucha libre event was only a small part of the two-week long festival which takes place twice a year in the Santiago Zapotitlán. It’s worth a visit if you’re going to be in the area.
