Celebrations of Independence in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

For days we’ve been hearing the boom, boom, bang and rat, tat, tat of drums as local school marching bands prepared for Independence Day celebrations here in San Juan del Sur.

Festivities kicked off on September 14th with an awards ceremony on the malecon. A huge parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto followed.

Nearly every child from every school in town spends weeks practicing for this parade. Parents and relatives line the streets and look on with pride as their kids perform.

For over two hours paraders big and small marched through town in the hot sun until they finally arrived at central park for the parade finale.

In an attempt to get a clear shot for photos I made my way through the crowds of people on the streets and sidewalks.

As I took in the incredible sights and sounds around me sweat dripped from my brow and down my back. I was hot and thirsty and kept thinking to myself, “Wow, how do these kids do it!?!”

Parades are a common occurrence in Nicaragua, but this one was really something to see.

Independence Day Celebrations: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua — **– Parade Finale at Central Park as seen from the rooftop terrace at La Terraza Guest House: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua**

**– Independence Day Celebrations 2015: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua**

Food vendors lined the permitter of central park. They served traditional Nicaraguan favorites including barbecue chicken, grilled corn, vigorón and quesillo. The smoky aroma of barbecue wafted in the air.

Locals enjoyed the day eating, drinking and celebrating with their families around town and in the bay.

Although Gordon and I have been in Nicaragua nearly 4 years this is the first time we’ve captured Independence Day events on camera.

While a picture is worth a thousand words I have to say nothing compares to feeling the beat of the drum in your chest and seeing first hand the smiles on the paraders faces.

Standing next to my Nicaraguan friends and neighbours as they celebrated their country’s independence was a real privilege and spectacular experience!