Lovely HOT San Pedro 2023 Uniform Parade to Celebrate the Battle of St George’s Caye

Today, September 10th, Belize celebrates the Battle of St. George’s Caye – the weeklong fight with the British Baymen, their slaves, and naval boats who arrived from Jamaica – to expel the Spanish invaders once and for all. The year was 1789 – 225 years ago today.

San Pedro celebrates this beloved national holiday with a Uniform Parade – school kids and town officials, the drum corps, and the police march through town on what is always a RED HOT morning.

Today was no exception. We had some heavy rain in the very early hours…the clouds were clearing just as everyone gathered on the (shadeless) football field in the back of San Pedro town to get ready. It was 10am when the Mayor arrived.

This year’s parade was much smaller than usual. St. George’s Caye Day is a Sunday – and most schools, including the town’s largest elementary school – San Pedro Roman Catholic School – made the parade optional or decided not to attend at all.

It’s a church day after all…

Here are the photos I took this morning – and some from my friend Tom Cawthon on festive Middle Street. After the parade, everyone heads home for a day of relaxation, family time, Belikins and BBQ.

We started with the national anthem. My friend here stopped selling snacks to stand at attention…

The team at RRR is always ready. If you don’t know about this crew – now is the time to change that (and get the # of your phone!)

This kid had the right idea…

Stop by his kiosk if you can – he’s got some great plants for sale. Desert rose, various cacti and shrubs.

In other years, there is a sea of high school kids…block and blocks as the four years pass. I think it was only freshman today.

And then I jumped in my golf cart to try to beat the parade out of town – before they could march north in Boca Del Rio, and I’d be trapped in traffic for an hour. Patriotic? Not really but…man…was I hot.

A cold coconut water and…pick up a BBQ on the way home? That’s my kind of holiday. Enjoy everyone!

For all the events to come in the next week or so, check this September Events Calendar

And if you are considering visiting San Pedro next September to enjoy all the fun and festivities – here’s what you should know.