This Girl's Birthday Party Was So Crazy That Thousands Attended And One Person Died
Nov. 18 2019, Updated 2:27 p.m. ET
Rubi Ibarra from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, recently turned 15. So her parents posted an online invitation intended to ask friends to come to her quinceañera — a special celebration in many Central and South American countries which is held when a girl turn 15. But there was no way they could've anticipated what happened next.
They forgot to make the invite private and it quickly went viral. Which is usually a good thing if you're trying to promote a service or a person.
But when you're a family from a rural village in Mexico celebrating your daughter's 15th birthday, getting all of that attention could be a bit overwhelming, especially when you've got a million RSVPs to your event.
Rubi Ibarra ended up with thousands of guests at her party thanks to an internet frenzy where both stars and companies got in on the celebration.
Mexican airline Interjet offered 30% discounts to anyone who was flying to San Luis Potosi, the airport closest to the event. They published the deal with the tag-line, "Are you going to Rubi's party?"
Other companies poured out offers of sponsorships and donations to all be a part of Rubi's party.
Actor Gael Garcia loved the original invitation video from Rubi's father so much, he parodied it and uploaded his own video online.
Rubi was even offered a guest role on the Soap Opera, The Rose of Guadalupei and singer Luis Antonio Lopez even composed a song dedicated to Rubi and her party.
The fervor for Rubi's party reached such crazy heights that State Congressman Roberto Segovia rallied for support in managing the crowds.
In fact it got so out of control, with so many people on the internet talking about the party that Rubi's father went and rescinded his invitation to everyone briefly. But then, he re-instated the offer that anyone and everyone who wanted to attend could.
Thousands of people eventually showed up to "Rubi Fest" for food and festivities including a two-horse race.
But Rubi's party wasn't without tragedy: officials say at least one person died and one was injured during the quinceañera.
The injury occurred during the horse race, with police believing that a spectator cheering on the horses got too close and collided with one of the animals. If it was a Dothraki party, it'd be no big deal, but a 15-year-old girl's birthday that got out of hand? Not so much.
