Today I have some fun vintage slides from Nogales, Mexico, circa 1958. The slides are hand-dated May 4th, so... not quite Cinco de Mayo. But I assume that it was related in some way. Nogales is located at the northernmost border, right next to Nogales, Arizona.
This first photo shows a parade float with the Queen (queen of what?). I love the color, and the signs, and the busy crowds of people enjoying the festivities.
Hoo boy, both of these ladies are as lovely as can be!
This next photo was labeled, "Bevy of Beauties"; again, I love the color! Some of the señoritas to the left (not posing) look like they belong with group. Everyone is dressed so nicely, it makes me think of "Dapper Day" at Disneyland.
Here's another fun shot of the crowds; I'm sure tourism was (and is) a huge part of the local economy, which means that there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and curio shops.
And finally, here's a look at another float; I wonder if the waving lady is a local celebrity? Behind her a mariachi band adds music; behind the float we can see some men wearing elaborate feathered headdresses - I can only assume that they represented the indigenous Indian people of the region.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Nogales!
I would SO let either of those girls kiss me! But mostly the queen. Someday she is going to be my girlfriend!
ReplyDeleteMajor-
ReplyDelete¡Increíble! These are wonderful images. It's hard not to feel really special when wearing a tiara.
In the 4th image, we can see the call letters for radio station "XEXW 13 on Your Dial" (actually 1300 on your AM radio dial), painted on the glass window above Tony's Curiosidades. It looks as though a great time was had by all.
Thanks, Major.
I like the B29 model. It looks like it might be part of a storefront?
ReplyDeleteMonkey Cage Kurt, ha ha!
ReplyDeleteNanook, I wear a tiara as often as possible. A *manly* tiara of course - made of raw steak.
Eric, I think that B-29 actually might be part of the float - though it is hard to be 100% certain.
Major Pepperidge wearing his manly tiara of raw steak parading down the streets of Mexico. I'd pay money to see that. Nice images today. Thanks, Major.
ReplyDeleteEric - That's a detail I completely missed. It does appear to be sign that reads "Bar B-29." Funny thing is that it's obviously NOT a model of a B-29. It looks sort of like a 4-engined, elongated B-26, but it's probably just a generic caricature of a WWII-era bomber.
ReplyDeleteNote the Kodak Brownie 8mm movie camera held by the kneeling woman in the center of the posed group in the third photo.
Gracias, Major!
B-29 mystery solved.
ReplyDeleteYes, it appears to be a bar. Lookie here for a swell image of it.
Thanks, Nanook! I would have love to have seen that place at night. I can just imagine the scene, the neon lights flashing quietly as they gently reflected off the puddles of blood and vomit in the gutter.
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