Every July, the Virgin of Zapopan, which is one of Mexico’s most important Catholic icons, makes an annual visit to Chapala. She travels with an escort of dancers, bikers and clergy from her home in the basilica in Zapopan, located in the suburbs northwest of Guadalajara, for a procession and mass. As Lake Chapala’s reina (queen), she visits Chapala each year to bless the lake and bring good fortune to those who earn their livelihood from its waters.

The morning after the procession, hundreds of parishioners accompany the virgin on small boats to the nearby Island of the Scorpions for another mass and a fish fry.

This year, 2020, the activities for the Virgin of Zapopan have been canceled due to COVID and the mass will instead be livestreamed on Facebook.

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Over 300 people wait in line at the Chapala malecón for the chance to board one of the boats that normally take sightseers on tours around Lake Chapala.
Over 300 people wait in line at the Chapala malecón for the chance to board one of the boats that normally take sightseers on tours around Lake Chapala.
Boat operators donate a flotilla of around 40 boats for people to accompany the Virgin of Zapopan on her journey to nearby Island of the Scorpions, located in Lake Chapala, Mexico.
Boat operators donate a flotilla of around 40 boats for people to accompany the Virgin of Zapopan on her journey to nearby Island of the Scorpions, located in Lake Chapala, Mexico.
People board the boat "Sn (San) Francisco," who is the city of Chapala's patron saint, Francis.
People board the boat "Sn (San) Francisco," who is the city of Chapala's patron saint, Francis.
The virgin arrives at the dock and to get placed securely in one of the boats. The wooden icon is actually one of a few existing copies of the Virgin. After an accident in the last decade or so, the original virgin no longer strays from the basilica in Zapopan where she resides.
The virgin arrives at the dock and to get placed securely in one of the boats. The wooden icon is actually one of a few existing copies of the Virgin. After an accident in the last decade or so, the original virgin no longer strays from the basilica in Zapopan where she resides.
Clergy members ride with the virgin and help ensure that she doesn't topple over on the way to the island.
Clergy members ride with the virgin and help ensure that she doesn't topple over on the way to the island.
Enshrined in her plastic case, the virgin is well protected from the choppy waters.
Enshrined in her plastic case, the virgin is well protected from the choppy waters.
The Virgin of Zapopan arrives on the island after a half-hour trip.
The Virgin of Zapopan arrives on the island after a half-hour trip.
The virgin is escorted off the dock by members of the clergy.
The virgin is escorted off the dock by members of the clergy.
Once on the island, she is taken to this chapel, where people take photos and pay their respects before observing mass.
Once on the island, she is taken to this chapel, where people take photos and pay their respects before observing mass.
Some of the visitors listen to the short mass that takes place after people have paid their individual respects to the virgin.
Some of the visitors listen to the short mass that takes place after people have paid their individual respects to the virgin.
Many people go up to the icon and place a hand on its protective shield. As the queen of Lake Chapala, her annual visit to Chapala and to the island symbolizes protection and another year of bountiful fish crops.
Many people go up to the icon and place a hand on its protective shield. As the queen of Lake Chapala, her annual visit to Chapala and to the island symbolizes protection and another year of bountiful fish crops.
Fishermen fry fish while the mass is underway.
Fishermen fry fish while the mass is underway.
After afterward, everyone gets in line for pescado dorado (fried fish) donated by Chapala's fishing families.
After afterward, everyone gets in line for pescado dorado (fried fish) donated by Chapala's fishing families.
People get served during the fish fry during the visit to the island.
People get served during the fish fry during the visit to the island.
Carp is the main fish that's found in Lake Chapala.
Carp is the main fish that's found in Lake Chapala.
Hundreds of small fish are fried to feed all of the hungry parishioners and everyone is offered more than one. Large catches are not as common as they were decades ago.
Hundreds of small fish are fried to feed all of the hungry parishioners and everyone is offered more than one. Large catches are not as common as they were decades ago.
Boats wait offshore to bring everyone back to Chapala. You can see why the island is a popular spot for Mexican tourists looking to get away from the nearby city of Guadalajara.
Boats wait offshore to bring everyone back to Chapala. You can see why the island is a popular spot for Mexican tourists looking to get away from the nearby city of Guadalajara.
Once everyone has eaten (or before, even), the virgin needs to be whisked back to the mainland in order to be ready for her next appointment: another mass that's held later in the evening at Church San Francisco in Chapala.
Once everyone has eaten (or before, even), the virgin needs to be whisked back to the mainland in order to be ready for her next appointment: another mass that's held later in the evening at Church San Francisco in Chapala.
Guardians navigate the dock's wooden planks before loading her back onto the boat.
Guardians navigate the dock's wooden planks before loading her back onto the boat.
The Virgin of Zapopan is ready is speed her way back to Chapala for her full afternoon of engagements.
The Virgin of Zapopan is ready is speed her way back to Chapala for her full afternoon of engagements.
The Virgin of Zapopan returning from the Island of the Scorpions with other boats following closely behind.
The Virgin of Zapopan returning from the Island of the Scorpions with other boats following closely behind.