Tear your clothes, ruffle your hair and distort your features because the parade of fools is just around the corner. 

In honor of Saint Pascual Bailón, one of the oldest traditions of San Miguel is celebrated. It is said that this mystic found such unbridled joy in prayer that he would start dancing, hence his surname "dancer." This frenzy that took hold of the mystic is recreated by the San Miguelenses in their procession of madness.

For the parade to take place, it is a requirement that all those present be dressed in striking masks and brand new outfits combined with ecstatic dance steps that flow with the uncontrolled movement of the being. 

There are nine traditionalist groups that usually make up this parade that leaves on June 19 from the church of San Antonio and ends at the Central Garden. And it is not only those who parade who have a good time, but the spectators also get an overdose of fun and sweets thrown by the handful. 

Being inside the parade was as if Tim Burton's film "Alice in Wonderland" had suddenly come to life with outlandish costumes and makeup and a psychotic cat with a huge smile. 

Lewis Carroll himself would be proud of the desire people put into going down the rabbit hole into this descent into madness that is accepted at least one day a year. 

It's kind of like the movie The Purge where one day a year crime is illegal and this makes it very safe the rest of the year. Here it's not crime that's allowed but "madness" and behavior that doesn't make much sense or logic the other 364 days. 

Something like this could only exist in Mexico with the witty and irreverent humor that usually characterizes us and it is fortunate that this happens in one of the most magical and surreal lands in the country: San Miguel de Allende. 

In conclusion, if you are tired of the solemnity of travel or having to attend a monochromatic military parade, you will love every second of the Parade of Fools. 

Tip of madness 1: Watch the parade from the San Antonio beach

Tip of madness 2: Bring a hat because you'll be under the sun for many hours and a helmet for throwing popsicles!

Tip of madness 3: Arrive at the Church at 10 am to get a good spot and follow the parade through main streets such as Zacateros, Hernández Macías, Insurgentes, Aparicio and Núñez, going down San Francisco to reach the final destination.