September Is HERE! The Key Events on the Island And In the Country…2015

It does seem a bit crazy that it is September already.  School starting…eyes on the hurricane forecasts (knock on wood…all relatively good so far in the Atlantic) and SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS.

Last week, The Belize Tourism Board printed the official schedule for the towns around Belize…places like Dangriga, Benque and Punta Gorda have events almost every day of the month.  In San Pedro – one of the most vibrant towns in the country – we have this.

September Schedule

Seems kinda puny.  Perhaps we forgot to submit some events?  Maybe a revised schedule is coming soon?  Well let’s focus on the positive…

The town is busting out the red, white and blue.  Flag flying from carts and down Main Street, in the park…

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…at the Tropic Air building…

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…out over docks…

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…and at the Water Taxi terminal.

IMG_4404Watch the Marin’s house across the street from the Holiday Hotel.  Undecorated today but in the next few days, it will be coated.  Like they do for each and every holiday.

marins

Let’s start with this weekend.  In Belize City – the two night, Sir Barry Bowen Belikin Bash.  6pm to Midnight – free concert in Memorial Park.

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Last year, I went for the last night…GOOD TIMES.

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Here I am pretending I am in Supa G’s band.

supa gThe next cool event, also in Belize City, is the Trade/Belize Market Expo held at the ITVET Center.  This year, it’s the weekend of September 5th and 6th.   Last year, it was good but not great.  2013 was super fun.  Get there early…

DON’T FORGET THE BIGGEST EVENT IN BELIZE FOOTBALL EVER.  September 4th our Belize Jaguars play Canada in Toronto in Round 3 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.  And if that’s not exciting enough…

They return to play in Belmopan, Belize on September 8th.  For information on tickets, check out our national teams’ facebook page.

belize pumas

September 10th is a National Holiday – celebrating the Battle of St. George’s Caye.  In San Pedro, the kids and town officials do a “Uniform Parade”.   It starts early so the kids can have a proper holiday for the rest of their day

uniform

Next up is the HUGE Carnival day in Belize City.   September 12th.  The day starts early with J’Ouvert.  An event I’ve NEVER attended.  A 4am party involving music and chocolate syrup and jumping into the river…

Here are some pictures taken by my friend JC in 2011.  It’s getting bigger and better each year.  Maybe MAYBE I’ll do it this time around…

At 1pm the Carnival starts…and after jockeying for a spot to watch it and keeping WELL hydrated…it’s well worth it.   Here are my pics from 2013 – Part One and Two.

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And then last year’s parade.  Whew!

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And then it’s time for the 21st.  Independence Day.  Belize turns 34 years old!   And the HUGE parade is in Orange Walk…each year I say I’m going to go but then I don’t want to miss our smaller San Pedro bash.  I also say each year that I will learn the Belize National Anthem…and I haven’t followed through on that either.

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You can view ALL my pictures of San Pedro’s celebration below – THE “JUMP UP” PARADE.  It’s so fun every single year.  Dust off your red white and blue.  Stop by the local stores for your flags and beads and stickers and wash-off tattoos.  IT’S TIME TO PARTY!

JUMP UP

And no song gets me MORE ready than Ernestine Carballo’s CARNIVAL IS HERE.

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