San Pancho - Puerto Vallarta's Artistic Spirit in a Small Town Setting

For the last several decades, scores of expatriatesand Latin American styles and even spirited
have made their homes in Puerto Vallarta and theperformances by local children.
beautiful coastal areas near the city. Attracted by theThough the San Pancho Music Festival is the town's
remarkable scenery and welcoming Mexicanmost popular event, this developing community has
atmosphere, such residents permanently relocatedplenty to offer visitors throughout the year. In the
from places as diverse as the United States, Western1970s, Mexican President Luis Echeverria treated the
Europe and South America. Over time, each of thesetown of San Pancho as a model community and
cultural groups have made their mark on the region'soversaw the construction of numerous warehouses
uniquely cosmopolitan culture. One of the most uniqueand factories designed to bolster the town's economic
examples of foreign culture blending with local traditionpresence. Though Echeverria's plan wasn't fully
can be found about 50 miles north of Puerto Vallarta inrealized during his time in office, many of these
the town of San Pancho (formerly known as Sanbuildings have found new life with San Pancho's
Francisco). Since 2001, an artistic group of locals -culturally-savvy locals. Today, some of the factories
including individuals from the United States, Europe andare again in use producing speciality products that rely
all parts of Mexico - has presented the San Panchoon San Pancho's unique environment. Additionally,
Music Festival. Since the beginning, the San Panchoorganizations supporting everything from ecological
Music Festival has welcomed guests of all ages andpreservation to the local art community have made
provided several days' worth of entertainment free oftheir homes in the town's now-booming business
charge. Typically held during the last week of February,district.
visitors to Puerto Vallarta can experience theAt the center of town, visitors will find a collection of
bigger-than-ever San Pancho Music Festival fromgalleries and boutiques along the narrow cobblestone
February 26 to March 1, 2009.streets. As San Pancho is home to an
Though the San Pancho Music Festival began justethnically-diverse population and regularly welcomes
seven years ago as a loosely-organized gathering ofvisitors from throughout the world, a wide variety of
local musicians, the festival now features four full daysrestaurants and cafes can also be found near the
of music and more than 100 musicians performingcenter of town. For the last several years, many of
diverse and exotic genres. The festival is organized bythese independent businesses have joined together to
Craig Schumacher, a talented American blues musiciansupport the local art community. Each December,
known in San Pancho as "Shoe." Since the beginning,artists from San Pancho and the surrounding areas
Schumacher has treated the San Pancho Musicdisplay their new work at special gallery shows and
Festival as both a way to show off the village andevents. In addition to supporting the talented artists of
provide a diverse cultural experience to locals andSan Pancho, the annual art festival also helps fund
visitors. As a result, the festival has become knownlocal education programs and non-profit groups.
throughout Mexico for its relaxed, welcomingThroughout the year, visitors to San Pancho can also
atmosphere that allows visitors to witness greatrelax on the quiet, spacious beaches that rest just a
performances free of charge and even performshort walk from the galleries and restaurants or
themselves during open stage times. This year, theexplore the mountain trails that wind through the
San Pancho Music Festival will feature genres includingcoastal jungles above the town.
blues, jazz, funk, bluegrass, a wide array of Mexican