A Belize Independence Day parade that marches to the beat of many different drummers

Let the parade begin! The long, slow departure from the Boca del Rio staging area began promptly at 1 p.m. but as in any parade, it is the journey, not the destination that matters. (What ever that might mean in this context …)

San Pedro celebrated the 33rd year of Belize independence with a good old fashioned Jump Up Parade that included a band, lots of marching groups, trucks loaded with two-story high sound systems that pumped out crazy dance beats, floats, a beauty queen, gaily decorated golf carts and children by the dozens.

The parade started promptly at 1 p.m. and don’t think that its promptness didn’t have plenty of wags wagging their tongues.

Nothing ever starts on time in Belize?

Well, this parade did.

The route took marchers from the staging area in Boca del Rio, south on Back Street, north on Front Street, south again on Middle Street and back north a second time on Front Street to Central Park.

The beauty of this route is that with a little ambition, parade watchers could march up and down side streets and catch the whole thing all over again three more times. At least!

Based on comments overheard, this was  shorter than usual and, at the same time, a better parade than many from the past.

Well, it was simply fun and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. My own route took me from Boca del Rio to Back Street across from the Super Buy Market,  to the balcony of the Holiday Hotel on Front Street.

And it was hot, hot, hot.

We walked back to Boca Del Rio with Adam and Jackie Feldman who have been living there while their Casa Picasso restaurant is undergoing renovation and Steve and Sue Blair, owners of the Coco Loco’s Beach Bar, who just returned from a trip to the States.

Paraders had been replaced by revelers along the way as DJ’s and live bands picked up the slack and provided rhythmic outlets for all that national pride, celebratory exuberance and, well, Belikin beer.

I’ll spare you the commentary and just let you enjoy some of the thousands of smiling faces found on Sunday all around San Pedro.

 

For even more great photos from the San Pedro, Belize, Independence Day Jump Up Parade check these out:

• John East’s “Belize — Building a New Life” blog post: “Freedom”
• Linda Gyomory’s Facebook posting of 29 pictures
• Rebecca Coutant’s San Pedro Scoop post “San Pedro JUMPS UP for Belize’s 33rd Independence Day Parade, Part 1.”
• Rebecca Coutant’s San Pedro Scoop posts “San Pedro JUMPS UP for Belize’s 33rd Independence Day Parade, Part 2.”
• Bound for Belize: “More photos from the Independence Day Jump Up Parade in San Pedro, Belize”