May 1: Labor Day (Mexico)

May 3: 129th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
In the first leg of the Visa Triple Crown Challenge, thoroughbreds run 1 1/4 miles. The track record of 1:59 was set by Secretariat in 1973. Contact the Caliente Race & Sports Book in your area for post time.

May 3: Baja Booksigning & Wine Tasting
Noon-6pm: Meet over a dozen famous Baja authors including Graham Mackintosh, Paula McDonald, Greg Nieman and Ann Hazard and sample Domecq’s fine wines at Pyramid Resort, Km. 57 on the Rosarito-Ensenada Free Road. Books and wine available for purchase. Info: Keri McCarty, tel. (646)155-0265; e-mail

May 4: Club Companeros de Baja Norte Brunch
9am-noon: Sunday brunch ($3.75dlls. donation) open to the public at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Eat great food, meet new friends and assist charities through this local service club. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

May 4: Model Airplane Club
10am-1pm: Model airplane enthusiasts can fly their planes at the Ensenada Model Airplane Club paved mini-pista off Hwy. 1 just south of Estero Beach. Click for map. Info: Oscar Fernandez, tel. (646)177-4019.

May 4: Pre-Cinco de Mayo Fiesta & Fundraiser
1pm: Enjoy live entertainment from the Punta Banda Line Dancers and Grupo Folklorico Anahuac, door prizes and “all-you-can-eat” buffet of carne asada, pork ribs, chicken and salad bar at Celia’s Restaurant near the entrance to La Bufadora in Punta Banda. Proceeds benefit Casa Hogar Nueva Vida Rehabilitation Center in El Rosario. Donation: $10dlls. (reservations recommended). Tickets & reservations: Celia’s Restaurant, tel. (646)171-9376; e-mail or Margarita Morales at Campo La Jolla, tel. (646)154-2548.

May 5: Cinco de Mayo (Mexico)

May 7: Club Companeros de Baja Norte Meeting
10:30am: General meeting open to the public at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Luncheon to follow ($3.50dlls. donation). Meet new friends while assisting local charities. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

May 10: Mother's Day (Mexico)

May 11: Mother's Day (U.S.)

May 11: Model Airplane Club
10am-1pm: Model airplane enthusiasts can fly their planes at the Ensenada Model Airplane Club paved mini-pista off Hwy. 1 just south of Estero Beach. Click for map. Info: Oscar Fernandez, tel. (646)177-4019.

May 16: Medieval Music Concert
8pm: The Tijuana Opera Company and Ensenada Pro-Música Choir present “Carmina Burana” at the Riviera Convention Center on Blvd. Costero, Ensenada. Tickets $15dlls. Info: Pro-Música, tel. (646)178-7024 or Margit Gantt, tel. (646)174-7969; e-mail

May 17: 128th Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland
In the second leg of the Visa Triple Crown Challenge, thoroughbreds run 1 3/16 miles. Contact the Caliente Race & Sports Book in your area for post time.

May 17 & 18: Bio-Tech Electronic Music Festival at La Bufadora
A unique overnight event from 4pm Sat.afternoon until 11am Sun. morning with giant screens, lasers, djs from Tijuana and San Diego, the Papantla Flyers and more. Admission (must be 18 or older with ID): $20dlls./car (10 persons max.) includes parking and camping. Bring your own tent, sleeping bag, tp, water, cooler, etc. La Bufadora is located 21 miles south of Ensenada in Punta Banda. For info call (646)177-2555. 

May 18: Club Companeros de Baja Norte Brunch
9am-noon: Sunday brunch ($3.75dlls. donation) open to the public at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Eat great food, meet new friends and assist charities through this local service club. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

May 18: Model Airplane Club
10am-1pm: Model airplane enthusiasts can fly their planes at the Ensenada Model Airplane Club paved mini-pista off Hwy. 1 just south of Estero Beach. Click for map. Info: Oscar Fernandez, tel. (646)177-4019.

May 18: Fiesta of the Flowering Vineyards
Noon-5pm: Baja California wineries celebrate the blossoming of the grapevines with a special festival that includes a noon mass, regional foods, live entertainment and wine tastings at Rancho Nova de Bodegas de Santo Tomas, located northeast of Ensenada in San Antonio de las Minas at Km. 95.5 on Hwy. 3 to Tecate. Proceeds benefit San Vicente Shelter. Tickets ($8dlls./adult, $2dlls./child) are available through Viajes Damiana on Calle 2 & Av. Obregon in Ensenada, tel. (646)175-7233 or (646)178-3136. General info: Baja California Winemakers Association, tel. (646)178-3038; e-mail

May 18: Mushroom Festival
1-8pm: View interesting exhibitions presented by UABC University and sample various mushroom-based dishes prepared by local restaurants at a colorful street fair and culinary competition on Paseo Calle Primera (Av. Lopez Mateos) between Av. Alvarado & Blancarte in downtown Ensenada. Tickets ($15dlls. at the door, $12dlls. in advance) include 5 food samples and 5 beverages (beer, wine or soda). Enjoy raffles, dance presentations, mariachis, rock and classical music. Info: CANIRAC Chamber of Restaurants, tel. (646)174-0448; fax (646)174-0435; e-mail

May 21: Club Companeros de Baja Norte Meeting
10:30am: General meeting open to the public at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Luncheon to follow ($3.50dlls. donation). Meet new friends while assisting local charities. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

May 24 & 25: 9th Annual Guillermo's Annual Yellowtail Sportfishing Tournament in Bahia de los Angeles 
5am: Anglers compete for trophies and cash prizes while trying to hook up with the largest yellowtail in the Sea of Cortez. Contestants may use their own boats or arrange for panga rentals in town. Info: Restaurant Guillermo’s/Guillermo Galvan, tel. (200)124-9104; fax (200)124-9101.

May 24 & 25: 24th Annual La Mision Fiesta
Held at the site of San Miguel Arcangel de la Frontera Mission, this family style country festival features parades, rodeo contests, historical and cultural exhibitions, regional Mexican foods, live entertainment and folkloric dancers. The Saturday night Cowboy Camp & Bonfire features the Kumiai Dance Group of San Jose de la Zorra presenting their traditional "Kuri-Kuri" song and dance. Doors open approx. 9-10am daily; most rodeo and dance presentations begin about 3pm. Free admission; small charge for parking. The mission is located at Km. 65.5 on the Tijuana-Ensenada Free Road between Rosarito Beach and Ensenada. Info: UABC School of Tourism in Tijuana/Prof. Mario Reyes, tel/fax: (664)682-1697.

May 24 & 25: Club Companeros de Baja Rummage Sale
10am-2pm: Search for treasures at the Companeros Rummage Sale at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Proceeds benefit club charities. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

May 25: Model Airplane Club
10am-1pm: Model airplane enthusiasts can fly their planes at the Ensenada Model Airplane Club paved mini-pista off Hwy. 1 just south of Estero Beach. Click for map. Info: Oscar Fernandez, tel. (646)177-4019.

May 25: Equestrian Show
10am-6pm: Cowboy events at Adobe Guadalupe in Valle de Guadalupe on Ensenada-Tecate Highway 3. Info: Elisa Arredondo, tel. (646)178-8065.

May 26: Memorial Day observed (U.S.)

May 30: Memorial Day (U.S.)

May 30 - June 1: Tecate SCORE Baja 500
Don't miss this legendary off-road race as four-wheelers, motorcycles and ATVs challenge approximately 500 miles of rugged mountain, forest and desert terrain in their attempts to “beat the Baja.” Registration and tech inspection are on Fri. from 10am-6pm across from Hotel La Pinta in downtown Ensenada. On Sat., motorcycles and ATVs start at 6am, followed by trucks and cars at 7:30am near the Riviera Convention Center on Blvd. Costero. Finish line is at the end of Av. Ruiz on the outskirts of Ensenada. Awards presentations are Sun. at 10am at the Riviera. Info: SCORE International, U.S. tel. (818)225-8402; fax (818)225-8102; e-mail

May 31: Señorita Bella Cenicienta del Pacífico Pageant 
9pm: Join the excitement as a dozen young ladies from ages 16 to 24 compete for the prestigious title of "Miss Cinderella of the Pacific" at the Hotel Paraíso Las Palmas Convention Center on Av. Sangines. Tickets include pageant with live musical entertainment. Info: Salvador Tapia, tel. (646)178-7605.

May 31 & June 1: “Sylvia,” a Comedy
Wigs & Giggles Theatre Group reprises this hilarious play about an ornery, sexy dog and the love triangle that ensues. Original adult (R) version Sat. at 7pm; (PG) version Sun. at 2pm. Donation: $7dlls. in advance; $8dlls. at the door. Gertrude Pearlman Theatre is located at Campo La Jolla in Punta Banda, 16 miles south of Ensenada. Info: Irka Davis, tel. (646)154-2235; e-mail