The town delegado, Chuni Medeles, waves the Mexican flag after reciting El Grito on September 15 in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.

Mexican Independence Day

Día de la Independencia

El Grito during Mexican Independence Day.

Independence Day

And beer chugging competitions with caguamas (40-oz beers).

And then kids stand on each other to get to the top.

Adults get to compete in chile-eating competitions.

Bietsy Pulido performs a dance that the dancers in this group call "Ollas" (pots), which comes from Michoacán.

Ballet folclórico is usually part of the evening's activities at the plaza on the nights of the 15th and 16th of September. It's basically the national catalog of Mexican folk dances which are traditional in regions and states from all across the country.

Another event that takes place during the town's fiestas patrias is the rebozo contest, a garment similar to a shawl that's synonymous with Mexican identity. It's still common in rural areas and this annual contest is a way of preserving the tradition.

The Independence Day celebrations in Ajijic start a day or two before September 16. One of the events is the palo encebado.

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Mario Farías competes during a singing competition in the plaza.

Mariachi Real Axixic plays traditional mariachi music in the town plaza.

Mariachi is one of Mexico's most popular and emblematic forms of music. It originated in Western Mexico, with some stories placing the birth of modern mariachi in Cocula, Jalisco.

Townspeople watch the parade pass outside their house.

The parade has lots of charros, vaqueros, and escaramuzas, dressed in some of their finest, such as Daniel Medeles, leader of Mariachi Real Axixic.

A charro holds his little escaramuza tight while riding together in the parade.

Two girls ride in the parade as a butterfly passes overhead.

A sombrero leaves the face of an escaramuza in shadow as she passes in front of a green wall.

The Independence Day parade starts at 10 a.m. on September 16 at Constitución and Revolución in Ajijic.

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<p>Mexico&#8217;s Independence Day celebrations are coming soon from September 15-16.</p>


Independence Day Photo Gallery | Lakeside Guide to Lake Chapala, Mexico

<p>Las celebraciones del Día de la Independencia de México se realizarán próximamente del 15 al 16 de septiembre.</p>
