How do they do it? How do they put on some of those costumes that look not only like a second and third layer of skin but a whole winter coat for a grizzly bear — and then head down the street dancing and twirling and skipping to the pulsations of Mega the Sound Systems Inc. on the back of a pickup truck?

Crazy, I tell you!

Locos, by name. This year, the Locos are earning their name and reputation for endurance, exuberance, perseverance, and any other “ences” you can think of. It is hot. Every single day. Hot. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen it rain on a Locos parade.

Even this morning when the Locos stepped off from the grounds of the Parroquia San Antonio de Padua as advertised, shortly after 10 a.m. it was already hot. Yet there they went — Moms and Dads with kids in hand, kids on the shoulder, kids dancing beside them — and more Locos of all ages.

They waltzed down Callejon San Antonio and took a turn down the Ancha, angling their way towards Independencia — where they would meet up with two more parading groups of Locos and then the Parroquia San Miguel de Arcangel before returning to San Antonio.

This isn’t even the Big One that everyone is asking about. This is just the launch party, so to speak. Dia de Locos is June 16 and that will culminate in thousands of costumed marchers on the Ancha and around the Jardin in Centro.

Enjoy! Click on any photo you’d like to enlarge. Copy and share the photos with friends or if you recognize someone, send them a copy!

Addendum:

The temperature did hit 99 degrees today, but it has been hitting 96-98 degrees every day for weeks. So, so what?

This past week launched an annual tradition that involves many costumes, often cumbersome costumes, and maniacal dancing while parading down the avenues in the heat of the day.

It begins with the recognition of Saint Pascual who is the patron saint of crazies. That is not derogatory or disrespectful. Our dancers are called Locos — Crazies. In the coming weeks, we honor Saint Anthony, who is the patron saint/namesake of our local parroquia, with lots of mini-parades all over the city.

This all culminates in Dia de Los Locos — Day of the Crazies on June 16. Last year, nearly 4,000 people showed up in an incredible range of costumes to dance down the Ancha while throwing candy to the crowd. — a crowd of more than 20,000.

The first time we saw the Crazies parade, we were sitting in the open window of the now gutted McCarthy’s Irish pub on the Ancha, watching Mexico defeat Germany in the World Cup. Seconds later, the parade began to pass by as we swiveled our seats toward the street. I got smacked right in the forehead by a piece of hard candy. Love at first sight.

This particular crazies parade was one of three that merged on Independencia Boulevard and then marched/danced back here to the church. They’re still dancing as I write this at 8 p.m. Didn’t have to do any more than step outside the front door to capture the pictures.

I hope you like them and understand, Mexico is so much more than you hear about in the papers.