Anonymous - 2-23-2005 at 06:38 AM
http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050...
Visiting city officials are promoting events in Baja California's capital
Debra Gruszecki
February 23, 2005
INDIO - A contingent of tourism officials from Mexico traveled to Indio Tuesday to invite their Coachella Valley neighbors to "Live it up in
Mexicali," a city that is about a one hour drive away.
"Like the governor of California, you will say 'I'll be back,' after your visit," Daniel Mohedano, director of Mexicali Tourism and Convention Bureau,
said.
Mohedano, and other Mexicali officials, were promoting these events in Mexicali, the Baja California state capital:
The International Score San Felipe 250 Off Road Race, Friday through Sunday, at Port of San Felipe, which attracts about 300 drivers and thousands of
spectators from southern California, alone.
AgroBaja, March 3-5, an exposition drawing over 400 growers, suppliers and service providers for agriculture, livestock and aguaculture from 28 states
in Mexico and several countries in South America. This year's expo, carrying an Asian-theme, includes nine exhibitors from the Inland Empire.
Baja Prog, also called the International Progressive Rock Concert, March 29-April 3, at which bands from Holland, England, the United States, Chile
and Brazil are expected to perform.
Fiestas del Sol, Sept. 23-Oct. 16, billed as one of the most important fairs in Baja California, which was attended by 460,000 people in 2004, roughly
7 percent hailing from the United States.
Fernanda Escobosa Casa?eda, delegate to the State Secretary of Tourism, said an invitation to visit Mexicali was extended because the Coachella Valley
is home to many Mexicans and other Spanish-speaking people.
The Coachella Valley has a population of about 353,000 residents, with Latinos making up 46 percent - or 162,000 people, according to U.S. Census
projections for 2003. The numbers do not include a seasonal migrant population estimated by local officials at 25,000 to 30,000 during harvest seasons
or as the result of illegal immigration to the area.
"We are extending an invitation to Mexican descendents,'' said Fernanda Escobosa Casaneda, a delegate to the State Secretary of Tourism. "We are
calling them home."
There also is a large number of people who live in the Coachella Valley, or are tourists in it, who might travel to Mexicali, if they knew more about
it, Casaneda said.
Mexicali also is home to such international firms as Sony and Mitsubishi, Mohedano said, so many events are held to entertain travelers who come to
Mexicali for business. Bull fights will be staged in Plaza De Toros Calafia in Mexicali from March 3-10, for example, and a popular country singer
from Mexico, Ramon Ayala, will perform April 15 at the Center for Fair & Expositions Fex.
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A few words about Mexicali, Baja California:
It is the capital city of Baja California, Mexico.
Its burglary/theft crime rate is reported by Mexicali officials to be lower than it is the city of Tijuana, and parts of Los Angeles.
Mexicali has diverse cultural events, including: Regulated bull fights, interactive museum, international dance festival and opera concert.
It's big on baseball, as its professional team, Mexicali Eagles, play ball in The Eagles Nest.
For more information call this toll-free number to the Mexicali Tourism and Convention Bureau: 1-888-COTUCO 2.
TMW - 2-23-2005 at 08:25 AM
[Its burglary/theft crime rate is reported by Mexicali officials to be lower than it is the city of Tijuana, and parts of Los Angeles.]
That's good to know. I'm impressed.
bajalou - 2-23-2005 at 09:30 AM
My friends in Mexicali say it's not a big problem, but of course, not like it was years ago. But they feel pretty secure there.
