Independence!

September is the month of independence for Belizeans and they make no buts about it, it is a celebration worthy of month long festivities. Starting at the end of August one can find houses, cars, windows and shops adorned with the Belizean flag. I would have to say that I've never seen a display of patriotism to the extent that the Belizeans go. This year is extra special as it is the 30th year anniversary of Belize's independence. To give you an idea as to how young this country is their founding father, George Cadle Price (the equivalent to our George Washington), just passed away a few weeks ago.
The month starts off with a Carnival type parade and a queen pageant in Belize City. However, with fewer than 6000 residents, the town of Punta Gorda does surprisingly well with their own Independence celebrations. Earlier in the month the country celebrated the Battle of St. George's Caye which was a decisive battle between the British and the Spaniards over the country of Belize (the British won out). There was a presentation of the pageant queen along with a fireman's parade followed by a demonstration from the Belize Defense Force (BDF) This was followed by a party in Central Park, complete with music, dancing, and a dj. That was just the beginning.
As the month ensued so did the celebrations. The government organizes what they call the Children's Rally. The idea is to give the children their own opportunity to celebrate their country and to display their patriotism. Many classes head to the local civic center during school hours to participate. Representatives from all of the schools in the surrounding Punta Gorda area then gathered together and paraded around the streets, waving flags, beating drums and carrying school banners. Preschools, such as our son's, had government appointed buses that were decorated and participated in the parade as well--shouting "hip hip hooray" along the route. As the parade wrapped up and the kids headed home (who can have school after that right?) the government paid for to each child to be sent home with a treat or goody bag of treats and a juice bottle. We went on the bus with our son's preschool, our two oldest daughters walked with their school and our youngest daughter watched the parade from her classroom as it went by. It was really a great experience to see so many children all supporting their country in such a public way.
On September 21, Belizeans celebrate their independence--the day when they were officially no longer a British colony. The celebrations here tend to be more communal than familial and they begin on Sep. 20 (Independence Eve). The majority of festivities took place at Central Park and included a bounce house (yay for my kids), beer, food, political speakers, music and dj. There was also some amazing authentic garifuna music that was performed by a group from one of Toledo district's only garifuna villages, Barranco (see youtube link for some video footage). They make heavy use of drums, rattles, and tortoise shells as instruments. At 11:45 p.m. the BDF marched into Central Park and did a 21 gun salute. After that was the countdown to midnight. As the clock struck midnight fireworks were set off at the pier a few blocks away. We were extremely impressed as they were as good as any suburban US city's fireworks. The festivities went until 2 a.m. but that was just too late for this young family, we left by 12:30 a.m.
The next morning, Independence Day, began with a large rally and another 21 gun salute (the BDF sure like their guns). This was followed up with a large parade that had representatives from nearly every school and organization in the area. Andy was very happy to see a troop of Boy Scouts marching in the parade all decked out in uniform. As the parade wrapped up, there was more music, food, and festivities in the park but because of the long night and hot weather, we just didn't last too long. Later that afternoon was a bike race in which participants had to bike around the town's main streets 12 times. Some of the participants came decked in proper biking gear and multiple speed bikes while others wore street clothes and flip flops and rode their basic 1 speed bikes. We didn't get to see who finished but I believe there was a $250 prize for first place.
The month has wrapped up with a memorial service for George Cadle Price, the founding father, first prime minister and leader of People's United Party. The kids were off school and there was a special mass and procession to Central Park for an ecumenical service. Simultaneously, there was a funeral mass in Belmopan (the capital city) followed by a burial in Belize City. We do not have a TV signal nor do we get a good radio signal but riding around town, it was very apparent how well Mr. Price was loved and revered. Nearly every house in town had either a tv or a radio tuned to the solemn, all day service.

Celebrating Belize's independence has been a real treat for us. Not only was it a great time but it was wonderful to see so many people come together for a common purpose.