Guadalajara, Mexico - Immortalized in the popular song "Guadalajara, Guadalajara," Mexico’s second city is home to the country’s most emblematic musical genre: Mariachi.

Mariachi is a traditional form of folk played with string instruments (often backed with horns and sometimes with acoustic guitar) by musicians clad in sombreros and elaborate uniforms.

The city hosts an annual festival to honor this cornerstone of its culture, spotlighting Mariachi bands in much the same way Mardi Gras in New Orleans celebrates its colorful krewes. Both events feature elaborate parades and a celebratory mood, though in Guadalajara’s case it remains squarely in family-friendly territory.

The festival is quite enlightening for travelers whose only previous limited exposure to Mariachi may have been at a theme park or restaurant in the United States. This year the 19th International Mariachi Festival takes place from August 29 through September 9.

A Little Mariachi History

Combining indigenous influences with more modern instruments introduced by the Spanish, Mariachi emerged in the western state of Jalisco and first became popular nationally in the early 20th century. The distinctive sound has since taken root in the United States and across the world as the most instantly recognizable aspect of Mexican culture.

Played at raucous weddings, baptisms and even funerals, Mariachi is ever-present throughout life in Mexico. In a drunken, late-night attempt at courtship, a young Casanova will sometimes hire mariachis to play love songs outside his girlfriend’s home (waking their family and neighbors in the process, of course.)

Earlier this year, Mariachi music was officially recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in its annual list of "intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding."

"Mariachi music conveys values respect for the natural heritage of regional Mexico and the local history, both in Spanish and in indigenous languages west of the country," declared the UNESCO committee.

"There is no Mexican musical expression more widespread throughout the world, and this universality had to be reflected in the list of intangible heritage," added the Jalisco Secretary of Culture, Alejandro Cravioto.

Mariachi Up Close and Personal

The International Mariachi Festival, which features dozens of live performances at different venues, plays an important part in preserving this traditional music. Organizers this year promise a lineup featuring not only the best mariachis in Mexico, but mariachis from as far afield as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Panama, Slovakia, the U.S. and Venezuela.

The centerpiece event, however, is the Mariachi Parade along Avenida 16 de Septiembre in the city center, scheduled this year for Sunday, September 2 from 10 am to 1 pm. See the official site for more details and the full festival lineup.

Groups of Mariachi musicians from all over the world take part, playing atop creatively designed floats, while machines blast endless streams of confetti and colored smoke into the air. Last year the infectious sounds of the "Virgencita de Zapopan" band went down particularly well, eliciting wild cheers from the family audience that lined the streets.

Aside from the music, the parade includes horsemen and women, acrobats, girls dancing in brightly colored traditional dress, men dancing with knives and Charros (Mexican cowboys) performing rodeo-style tricks with lassos.

Mariachi Year Round

Those unable to attend the festival should not fear. There are plenty of opportunities to hear live mariachis perform in Guadalajara any time of the year. With picturesque cobbled streets, charming craft markets and a wide choice of restaurants, Tlaquepaque – a very popular neighborhood with foreign tourists – is an ideal place to watch troupes of mariachis play.

More centrally in Guadalajara, the top-class restaurants Santo Coyote (Lerdo de Tejada #2379) and Casa Bariachi (Avenida Vallarta #2221) both feature live Mariachi musicians to serenade guests as they enjoy traditional cuisine and excellent margaritas.