The 2011 Spirits of Mexico Opening Ceremony opens the week-long Spirits of Mexico Festival, Sunday, September 11 from 2:30pm to 3:00pm at the entrance of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The new opening ceremony has been put in place for the first time in the festival’s eight year history in order to celebrate recent Spirits of Mexico accomplishments and additions that have led producers to expect the most successful event to date; a key highlight being the presentation of state certificate from Assembly member Toni Atkins that sanctions an official “Spirits of Mexico Festival Day” in California—the first ever in history.
“We are extremely honored to have been issued the state certificate by honorable Assembly member Atkins and to have gained the highly respected recognition from the state of California,” said Dori Bryant, IWSC Group event director and founder of the Spirits of Mexico Festival. “Years of dedication to keep the passion for the agave spirits alive and to carry on ancient Mexican traditions and culture will all culminate at this year’s opening ceremony as we look forward to the presentation of the certificate with full excitement and gratitude.”
A county proclamation will be presented during the opening ceremony by a representative from San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts’ office. The festival has received a county proclamation from the city of San Diego for the second year in a row, which will also declare September 17, 2011, as “Spirits of Mexico Festival Day.”
Dignitaries from all over the country and across the Mexico border as well as local and national media will be in attendance for the 2011 Spirits of Mexico Opening Ceremony. The program will include speeches by Old Town representative and event producers, along with special introductions, recognitions, and the presentation of both county proclamation and state certificate.
To keep with the theme of never before seen components, an agave-cutting finale will take the place of the traditional opening ceremony standard “ribbon-cutting.” Selected dignitaries will cut one attenuata of an imported Agave plant as an emblematic gesture showing appreciation for the grand tradition of tequila distillers and giving a token of support to aficionados who help pass rich Mexican culture to future generations.
The Spirits of Mexico Festival happens September 11-September 18 at various locations in historic Old Town and is presented by the IWSC Group, the Old Town Chamber of Commerce, and Fiesta de Reyes. For more information, visit www.spiritsofmexico.com.
