Mexican Corn Festival

The Mexican Corn Festival celebrates the year's harvest.

Corn has been a staple of the indigenous population of Mexico for hundreds of years. In August, when ears of corn are ripe on the stalk, the rural area of Mexico City celebrates the harvest of the native crop with a community festival.

Location

The Corn Festival, or Fiesta de Elote in Spanish, is held in San Juan Ixtayopan, Tlahuac. The town is located in the rural area of Mexico City and is accessible from the main highway between Guadalajara and Tepic.

Food

Corn is front and center at the Fiesta de Elote. Festival attendees will find Mexican appetizers called "antojitos," made from corn tortillas, as well as a wide variety of corn cakes, salsas, tamales, roasted corn on the cob and even candies.

Activities

In addition to the array of food to sample, the Fiesta de Ecote presents activities and amusements for the whole family. Events at the fiesta include traditional games, bullfights and parades. For shoppers, booths at the fiesta sell crafts such as embroidered linens and clothing, dolls and fine art.

References

• Demotix: Corn Fair in San Juan Ixtayopan, Mexico City
• Mexconnect: Calendar of Mexican food festivals