Avenida del Mar became a river of emotions, colors and music this Sunday, when the first parade of Mazatlán International Carnaval 2025 “La Perla” displayed its magic before thousands of spectators. Entire families, tourists and locals gathered to witness the spectacle.
From early hours, the festive atmosphere took over the city. The first rays of the sun illuminated the expectant faces of those who anxiously awaited the passage of the floats and the comparsas.
After five in the afternoon punctually, the first float made its appearance. Before, the commercial advance distributed souvenirs among the public.
The first parade of the Port Carnaval unleashed a wave of applause and shouts of joy. The majesty of the creations, the brilliance of the costumes and the energy of the dancers infected everyone. Each float is a work of art in motion, a display of creativity and talent that reflects the cultural wealth of Mazatlán.
The comparsas, with their vibrant choreographies and dazzling outfits, filled the avenue with rhythm and color. The dancers spread their joy to the public, who did not hesitate to join the party. The music of the omnipresent Sinaloa banda raised the festive atmosphere to its maximum expression.
The parade was a mosaic of characters, from the Carnaval Queens, who waved with grace and elegance, to the fantastic characters that populated the floats. The children, with eyes of wonder, did not miss a detail of each float and each comparsa. Adults, for their part, relived the magic of Carnaval, sharing memories and creating new unforgettable moments.
Along Avenida del Mar, the atmosphere was one of total celebration. Street vendors offered snacks, drinks and souvenirs, while nearby restaurants and bars were filled with diners who enjoyed the show from their terraces.
The first Carnaval parade flowed smoothly, displaying floats full of light, brightness and color, cheerful troupes, musical bands, friendly fish and other marine figures on bicycles and two large figures inspired by beings that give origin and identity to Mazatllán: a giant moving deer and an articulated whale; both caught the eye and thrilled the spectators.
The queens of today and of years past, national and international ambassadors and comparsas full of color, joy and vitality, who advanced between the floats leaving their soul on the asphalt as they did not stop moving to raise the joy among the public, brought their beauty to the parade.
STEP TO THE QUEEN
In the first section that opened “Step to the Queen” the public said goodbye to SGM Carolina III, Queen of the Mazatlán Carnaval 2024, who excitedly handed out kisses and received applause and cheers; then appeared Miss Universe Mexico, Fernanda Beltrán who paraded in a float titled “Flight in the Tropics.”
One of the most anticipated moments was the passage of Galilea Montijo aboard a fun float entitled “Color en el Mar”, demonstrating her elegance, charisma and connection with the public.
The presentation of the monumental puppet “Marcha Azteca”, an impressive deer that paraded on Avenida del Mar attracted all eyes and gave way to SGM Lucero I, Queen of Mazatlan International Carnaval 2025.
Lucero I traveled on a spectacular 17.5-meter-high float, created by the talented Ocean Rodríguez. Accompanied by the La Innovador Banda music, the Absolute Queen of Carnaval Mazatlan greeted the public from a huge whale and golden columns that rose to the sky. The queen wore a spectacular dress in orange and gold, designed by Andrés Romo and made by Sodelva Ríos.
A CENTURY OF HISTORY
The centenary of the Floral Games received recognition during the Carnaval Mazatlan parade was held and homage was paid to the queens who have been part of its history. The segment was opened by an allegorical float inspired by the sculpture of the Mazatlan Woman, in which SGM Pamela Farriols López, Queen of the Mazatlan Carnaval, traveled on her silver anniversary.
The first great parade of Carnaval Mazatlan continued with the presentation of the segment “A Century of Poetry.” This impressive allegorical float designed by Ocean Rodriguez, featured white swans and stickers with pink, lilac and other colored squiggles. On top, a representation of Cupid representing love.
The queens of the Floral Games traveled on this float, invited for the centenary of the festival of the arts, highlighting the elegance and tradition of poetry in Mazatlan.
Next, the float of the Queen of the Floral Games, SGM Desiré I, was presented, accompanied by her princesses Leslie, Sandra and Melisa. The float, designed and built by Ocean Rodríguez, was more than 17 meters high and featured seahorses and large Carnaval masks in a colorful and bright design.
The float stood out for its gold and white color, with glitter details that sparkled under the light. The seahorses and golden masks rested on huge columns, creating an impressive visual effect that people praised with their applause.
In this parade of beautiful queens of the Floral Games, the figure of Siu Ling Cotero Chío, Queen of the Floral Games of 2024, could not be missed. She paraded aboard the “Winged Beauty” float surrounded by mermaids and angels with wings, in colors Mermaids and Carnaval characters merge with the geometric figures characteristic of harlequins.
The parade continued with “Cabalgata Acuática,” an allegory accompanied by an impressive yellow fish that seemed to swim along the Mazatlán boardwalk. The float is adorned with corals, shells and other marine elements in bright colors such as lilac and pink. In this float, SGM Libia Gavica Farriols, Carnaval Queen 2020 and Mexican Universal 2023, paraded elegantly spreading smiles. The float was sponsored by McCormick.
The joyful parade continued with “Custodia del Partenon,” sponsored by Megacable. This impressive float featured giant, multi-colored seahorses that seemed to carry a tower on which a replica of the Parthenon was located. The creativity and detail of the float were highlighted by the public.
The next float was “Entre Corceles e Hipopótamos,” a creation by renowned designer Henry Wilson. The float features steeds that seem to gallop along the sea. The energy and dynamics of the float captured the public’s attention.
In this ephemeral work of art designed and created by Henry Wilson, the ambassadors and special guests of the Mazatlán International Carnaval 2025 waved elegantly, showing off their beauty and spreading smiles. The creativity and color of the float were the perfect setting for these outstanding personalities to show their joy and enthusiasm for the celebration of the Carnaval.
The presence of the ambassadors and special guests brought a touch of glamour and sophistication to the parade, and the public applauded them with applause and cheers.
Jazmín Malcampo, Silver Queen of the Floral Games, waved happily from her float “Aguas del Oriente” designed by the Ninots team.
A PEARL IS BORN
One of the most charming moments was the children’s segment of the Mazatlan International Carnaval 2025 parade, entitled “A Pearl is Born. SGM Angela I, gracefully paraded aboard a spectacular pink boat pulled by a sea balloon, the children’s float was designed by Ocean Rodriguez. The atmosphere was set by the La Rebelde banda.
The party on the boardwalk included the “Arrecifes”, created by Jorge Gonzalez, in which Ana Paula Velarde, Children’s Queen of Carnaval 2024, paraded.
“Vida de Corsario”, designed by Henry Wilson, paraded the Children’s Queen of Poetry 2024, Givana Valdez, on the boardwalk.
The light in the depths was the float designed by Jorge Osuna, from which SGM Ximena II, Children’s Queen of Poetry 2025, greeted the spectators, accompanied by the Banda del Recodo and the comparsa Entre Luz y Shadow.
Other children’s floats that were applauded by the public are: “The Queen of the Fair”, a float by Chavira in which Audelo Chio, Children’s Queen of Poetry 2000, paraded; “The Fifty Years of Flight”, by Henry Wilson, in which SGM Paulina Carrillo Collard, Children’s Queen of the Carnaval 1975, saluted on its golden anniversary.
PIRATES AND CELEBRITIES
The last section of the Mazatlán International Carnaval 2025 parade, titled “Pirates and Celebrities”, was one of the most exciting and colorful. The first float, “Giant of the Seas”, is a huge whale designed by Jorge González and sponsored by El Encanto.
“Party in the Port”, designed by Henry Wilson, which features harlequins and giant masks. The crew members are members of the Reyes García Ballet.
One of the highlights of this section was the presentation of the float of the King of Joy, SGM Brayan I. The float, designed and built by Ocean Rodriguez, is a ship about to sink in the sea, with smoke and special effects that give it a touch of realism. The float was accompanied by the False Cuban Orchestra and an exhibition troupe.
In “Los Navegantes” by Antonio Rodríguez, people with different abilities advanced, and “El Custodio de la Perla” by Antonio Rodríguez, also with pirate themes, were applauded by the public.
Other outstanding floats in this section were “Drake en la Costa”, originally by Ninot, sponsored by La Gran Plaza; “Caracola Marina”, designed by Jorge González, in which Héctor Limón, King of Joy of Carnaval 2024, advanced; and “Antes del Ajillo”, also designed by Jorge González, which featured a giant octopus and had the participation of the LGBTTTIQ+ community.
Finally, the banda La Adictiva closed the parade with its float, designed by Ocean Rodríguez, celebrating its 35th anniversary. The presentation was accompanied by an exhibition troupe and dancing horses.
