Mexico Independence Day

Mexican Independence day food

Mexico Independence Day is celebrated in many countries around the world.  It is the celebration of Mexico's independence from Spain in the 19th Century, and is bigger than Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)

The celebration begins on the evening of September 15th where the towns people wait for the in the Zócalo, or main square in every town and city for the festivities to begin.  Mexico City, the capitol of Mexico, is where you can find the biggest celebration.  The townspeople wait for the President of Mexico to come out on the palace balcony.  He then shouts "¡Viva México!" "¡Viva la independencia! ("Long live Mexico! Long live our independence!") and the festivities begin and continue on through the next day, September 16th.

• What you would expect to see on Mexico Independence Day:
• Street, cars, houses buildings all decorated in red, green and white, the colors of Mexican Flag, or national colors of Mexico.
• Street vendors selling all sorts of goodies, from flags and balloons to sombreros (hat) and toys for the kids.
• Food is a huge part of the festivities; there are hundreds of stands set up with traditional Mexican food, and Mexican Independence day food, which is mostly appetizer type food, candies and ponche (punch).  The punch is usually derived of whatever fruits are in season and is red in color.
• Live mariachi bands will play traditional Mexican music, mariachi bands indicative of the culture in Mexico. But there are other types of traditional Mexican music, such as Ranchera (ranch style music representing rural life), Banda (band of musicians with various instruments) or Nortena style (ballad type music mostly sung by those who live in the northern parts of Mexico.
• People dressed in traditional Mexican dress, men as Charros (wearing suits similar to those worn by the Mariachi bands, and women in Mexican folklore dresses.  Some just dress in the national colors.
  It is loud, happy and extremely jovial, with dancing, singing, bullfights, rodeos, parades and lots of tequila.

So if you are looking for a good time, and you are in Mexico or any other city that celebrates Mexico Independence day, then you are in for a wild, colorful and fun ride. Have a great time and "¡Viva México!"