Chicharra Fair returns to Xcalachén

As promised, the city is bringing back the Chicharra Fair, not even half a year after they introduced the event, which celebrates a local deep-fried pork treat. No part of the pig is wasted by a good chicharronería.

The Chicharra Fair in Xcalachén, on Saturday, Nov. 25, will invite four more chicharronerías to participate. It will also expand its space by another block.

Among the 11 invited chicharronerías is La Guadalupana, on Calle 5 between 4 and 6 in Col. Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

La Guadalupana is owned by José Matilde Priego Canché, who in 1992 opened his stall in a cardboard shed, and soon bought the land where it operates today.

The festival had the simple goal of energizing Xcalachén, a neighborhood south of the main square.

Officials guessed that a festival on July 1 would bring 2,000 to 4,000 visitors, which merchants in the neighborhood considered optimistic. But their goals were exceeded when around 10,000 attendees overwhelmed the neighborhood. Food ran out by 3 p.m.

There is reason to expect long lines once again. It is suggested that attendees arrive by noon, when the fair opens. Organizers can only hope that food won’t run out before the fair closes at 5.

Priego Canché said that at the last fair, on July 1, he served more than 100 kilograms of chicharra and that was not enough to meet demand.

“As I know, there are going to be four more vendors at the fair so that no one is left without eating the delicious chicharra,” he said.