A night of glitter, sequins, color, glamour, and feathers: the Rainbow Expo offered an inclusive space for expression for the LGBT+ community at Parque de la Paz the day before yesterday. Under the name “Fashion Week: Made in Mexico Ball,” the event brought together a prominent group of about 10 drag performers from the area.
This is the first inclusive LGBT+ event held as part of Mérida Fest 2026, which is taking place as part of the celebrations for the 484th anniversary of the founding of the Yucatecan capital. “Fashion Week: Made in Mexico Ball” is a unique cultural initiative that merges the Ballroom community, the richness of Mexican fashion, and the celebration of diversity, with the goal of positioning Mérida, Yucatán, as a new tourist and artistic epicenter for the LGBT+ community both nationally and internationally. This project is presented as a Ball—a performative competition within Ballroom culture—with Mexican fashion as its central theme, reimagined from a contemporary, inclusive perspective deeply rooted in our textile, Indigenous, and mestizo traditions.
Alison Mugler, who hosted the event, explained that its objective is to offer the public a respectful view of the art of Drag, from the perspective of Yucatecan heritage and cultural tradition, through outfits and routines prepared by local Drag performers, who, with their talent, pay tribute to the inclusive and tolerant Mérida that everyone desires.
“It is a very special occasion to be able to offer this event where the general public, friends, families, tourists—everyone—discovers the art of Drag and understands that this is an art form,” she emphasized.
Edel Polanco and Ariel Royal, King of Diversity and Drag Queen 2025, were present at this event and thanked the authorities who made it possible. The event allowed the public to appreciate the art of drag artists, not only in their characterization but also in the design of their costumes and ornamental elements, all based on the theme of regional attire and routines that delve into the anthropological roots of this cultural expression in Yucatán.
Arlet D Terror portrayed the Xtabay, and her performance revolved around the legend of this character from Yucatán’s narrative tradition.
Aria Hard shone on stage with a stylized terno, her dance moves, her explanatory narration of what it means to be mestiza, and her use of floral props.
For her part, Loba Lee offered a performance of jarana, tricks with trays, glasses and bottles, but in the end she took off the hipil and the rebozo to offer a sample of her talent for dancing with a more modern outfit but with typical elements of the terno such as the whiteness of the fabric and the colorful flowers embroidered on its surface.
Source: yucatan
