Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007
  • Home
  • About Belize
    • My Move to Belize
    • Living in Belize
    • Belize Tourism Board
    • Blog Press
    • tacogirl.com testimonials
  • Flights to Belize
    • Flying in Belize
    • Flights From Belize
    • Duty Free Belize
    • Aerial Tours
    • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • Belize Vacation
    • Vrbo Belize – A Paradise within a Paradise
      • Vrbo Ambergris Caye – Sunshine, Luxury & Fun
      • Vrbo San Pedro – Food, Fun, and Adventure
      • Vrbo Placencia – A True Getaway
      • Vrbo Hopkins Belize – Experience Culture
    • Ambergris Caye Accommodations by Price
    • Belize Resorts and Hotels
    • Pet Friendly Hotels
    • Belize Vacation Deals
  • Coupon Codes
    • Big Belize Travel Deal
  • Travel Store
    • tacogirl Recommendations
    • Easy Donations
    • Eco Friendly Belize
  • Fun Activities
    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
    • Fitness
    • Things to do in Belize
    • Belize Excursions and Tours
    • Voluntourism
  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan
  • Home
  • Belize Weather
  • Belizean Food
  • Restaurants by Price
  • Beach Bars
  • Nightlife
  • Discounts
  • Virtual Vacation
  • Belize Beach Webcam
Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

  • Home
  • About Belize
    • My Move to Belize
    • Living in Belize
    • Belize Tourism Board
    • Blog Press
    • tacogirl.com testimonials
  • Flights to Belize
    • Flying in Belize
    • Flights From Belize
    • Duty Free Belize
    • Aerial Tours
    • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • Belize Vacation
    • Vrbo Belize – A Paradise within a Paradise
      • Vrbo Ambergris Caye – Sunshine, Luxury & Fun
      • Vrbo San Pedro – Food, Fun, and Adventure
      • Vrbo Placencia – A True Getaway
      • Vrbo Hopkins Belize – Experience Culture
    • Ambergris Caye Accommodations by Price
    • Belize Resorts and Hotels
    • Pet Friendly Hotels
    • Belize Vacation Deals
  • Coupon Codes
    • Big Belize Travel Deal
  • Travel Store
    • tacogirl Recommendations
    • Easy Donations
    • Eco Friendly Belize
  • Fun Activities
    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
    • Fitness
    • Things to do in Belize
    • Belize Excursions and Tours
    • Voluntourism
  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan

Another Colorful Year – Celebrating Belize’s 38th Independence

by tacogirl 21/09/2019
written by tacogirl 21/09/2019
Fireworks 38th Independence Day Belize - tacogirl blog

By the time the Independence parade started, I was all celebrated out. Being a town girl, (I live near the Louis Sylvester Sporting Arena) I caught the whole party night before, and it was a long one this year. I still heard it at 5:00 am. As noisy as it was, I did enjoy laying in bed listening to DJ Debbie and Trinidad and Tobago singer Olantiunji and Dee Jav, from Chetumal Mexico.

Of course, I woke up and popped outside to take a few pics of my favorite part of the evening party. The ringing in of Independence Day with midnight fireworks.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

Countrywide Facebook has been lit up with fireworks and the colorful, spirited Independence celebrations.

This year I ended up making plans with my friend Carlene to watch the parade. She had never seen it before, so that was perfect as it gave me some extra motivation. I could have easily bailed this year, and unfortunately many did as this year’s parade was on the low side for float attendance.

No matter how big or small the parade is, it’s always exciting to see everyone’s designs. So much work goes into costumes and carts. I love watching them walk/drive the “runway” through town. It is always a hot, sweaty fun, tasty experience. This year was no different.

After checking the parade schedule, we decided to hit an aquafit workout first. Our class was all betting that the pararde would be a late start and we agreed come what may that we would be satisfied with whatever we saw.

As it turns out we had divine timing and managed to catch it all in with a quick refresher at my apartment first.

As we hustled down the street, it was eerily quiet. This was a telltale sign to me that this year’s parade was not going to be as big. Also that it was hotter than two goats in a pepper patch – people were not coming out in the sun till the siren started. We decided to walk a loop and head up Front Street a bit. When we headed back towards Middle Street we saw people had started to line the streets in anticipation, with many watching from second-story verandas above.

This year they started the parade with something different. A drag race between a pushcart and a tricycle cart. Just kidding 😀

Middle Street downtown San Pedro Belize

Right after the traffic above cleared out, the sound of the firetruck siren signaled the parade was drawing closer. It was also very much on Belize time. The 10 am scheduled start was really around 12:00 pm.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

Belize umbrella sales went up this month. Miss San Pedro was looking glamorous under her patriotic-themed shade.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

I took this next shot because I liked the height. Often floats have people standing at various levels and giant speaker towers.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

The San Pedro Tour Operators group had a great environmentally friendly walking float with a beautiful mural about protection.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

Of course, there were glitzy costumes too but sadly, fewer groups this year than past years. There was also less candy thrown too.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

Town streets packed up fast with people as soon as the parade started.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

Who doesn’t love some cultural Garifuna drumming and pretty girls passing by?

Garifuna drummers on a parade float

This mother and daughter combo look like rock-stars in their festively decorated cart.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

It was hot, hot hot. I do not know how the paraders do it year after year. This years parade route was extra long, as they finished in Boca Del Rio park instead of the town park.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

One man float proudly displaying his Belize Flags. Notice the socializing going on behind him as spectators got talking to paraders and slowed down the works.

Belize flags on a red motorcycle

More colorful costumes.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

Proudly displaying a big Belize flag

Sandy Toes beach bar parade group San Pedro

This ABC preschooler was enjoying a nap with his costumed chihuahua by his side.

Parade float  ABC Preschool Ambergris Caye

Of course, by the end, we were hungry and decided to track down some weekend street barbecue on the sidestreet running west of the clock tower. They are set up in a vacant lot.

Barbecue chicken downtown San Pedro

Chicken pork ribs and pork chops with coleslaw, rice, and beans or flour tortilla and beans. This time I went for some salsa fresca added with my ribs as well.

Street food San Pedro Belize Barbecue by tacogirl blog

I’m leaving you with one last fireworks shot.

Take a moment to be grateful for all the independence you have in your life. Thank you to all who stepped up for the 2019 Independence Day Jump Up Parade. I had a great time watching all of you pass by.

38th Independence Day Celebrations Belize

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

previous post
Connecting The Dots
next post
Open All Season Part Two + A Few Closures

You will also like

15 Super Bowl LIV Parties on Ambergris Caye

30/01/2020

Ringing in 2020 With a Quiet and Packed...

02/01/2020

New Year Parties and Tropical Christmas Holidays in...

31/12/2019

Full Moon Fun in San Pedro

19/12/2019

BTIA 34th AGM and Party Outside the Dog...

09/12/2019

Directions? Look for the Sails

22/11/2019

Life-changing Event for Ambergris Caye – San Pedro...

27/06/2019

Go Lunatics – Ruta Maya River Challenge

09/03/2019

San Pedro Belize Carnival – A Pause for...

08/03/2019

Flamingo Versus Unicorn

04/02/2019

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Search Belize by Category

Duty Free Discount

Trip Advisor Destination Expert

Tripadvisor logo

Get Social with tacogirl Belize blog

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Flickr Youtube

 

 

 


 

Get the latest posts by email

Search Belize by Month

Find tacogirl On Facebook

Find tacogirl On Facebook
tacogirl Belize blog
tacogirl Belize blog
5.0
Based on 16 reviews
powered by Google
Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
Next Reviews

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Flickr
  • Youtube
  • Email

tacogirl.com San Pedro Belize © 2020 Content of this website may not be used elsewhere without permission. Sitemap


Back To Top