This year marks 35 years of Belize Independence. It all started with the annual pre party on the 20th, Independence eve at the old football field. They had a stage set up and music. Since I am right next door I could hear the celebrations from my home. At midnight came the familiar sounds of fireworks so I grabbed my camera and shot the following video and a few pictures right outside my front door. I ended up with 12 min of footage which I managed to edit down to 55 seconds. The grand display must have gone on for at least 20 min to 1/2 hour and I can honestly say hands down it was the best fireworks display I have seen in my 10 years of living here. The Sky was lit up electric and often looked like a glitter bomb had just exploded over downtown San Pedro.

The sky was lit up large. Love last pic looks like two hearts in the sky.

San Pedro Belize Independence Day Parade Pictures

Between company and a deadline for online phone shopping to replace my recently stolen phone I did not make it to the parade this year. Thanks to a few people that did I was able to catch up on all the fabulous costumes and some of the after party.

Click through to see San Pedro Sun write up – Belize at 35: Strong and Together as One! They have some great pictures of the celebration including the electric glitter sky and flying pinata at the after party.

Click on this San Pedro Scoop write and you will find lots of fun pre-parade pictures with colorful costumes. Why You MUST Be in Belize on September 21st! The San Pedro JUMP UP Parade!

Click for more parade pics including a great handstand one from A Belize Home for us – â€œParty People” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Found Some More

Click to see the first of two posts by Bound for Belize Blog – Happy Birthday, Belize! Only 35 and still celebrating like a youngster! In this posy you will find great parade pics and some cool crowd shots.

Click through on Bound for Belize Blog – Independence Day II: Chalk! Chalk! Chalk! You will see lots of after party pics including flying chalk in action.

Independence Day, Ranchito Style by the Wright Time in Belize Blog. This post gives you a taste of Independence day celebrations in Corozal Belize.

After Party

While I did not make it to the parade, I did take a break from video editing to pop over for a few minutes of the after party before it got dark. I arrived to colored chalk powder people dancing and having fun. By the time I got there, the lighting was not great but I did snap a couple of crowd pictures.

Live Love Belize

Happy Colorful Chalk People

Some managed to keep their whites white no many though

Dancing at the after party

I was about to leave when suddenly the masses swarmed into a tight circle several people deep. I captured the crowd from above but still could not see why. After a short while and much jostling about I was able to move in a bit closer to see what the commotion was about – everyone wanted to watch some “dirty dancing.” 😀

All of a sudden the crowd drew tight

Dirty Dancing at the after party in Central Park