Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - History is very important in Mexico. To the Mexican people, "History is not only the story of how the present came to be, but the explanation of present realities and future possibilities."

So it's only natural that every year the month of September is dedicated to the celebration of the first and most significant episode of the country's history - Mexico's Independence from Spain.

Every September, known as El Mes de la Patria (The Month of Our Nation,) cities throughout Mexico host a series of colorful and patriotic festivities celebrating the events and people that eventually resulted in Mexico's Independence from Spain.

Here in Puerto Vallarta, the celebrations are unbeatable. On every street corner there are vendors selling flags, balloons, sombreros and rehiletes, all in the national colors of red, white and green - and there are plenty of festivities, entertainment and activities going on almost every night from September 11th through 16th.

Puerto Vallarta 2011 Fiestas Patrias Schedule of Events

Sunday, September 11
7:00 pm: Coronation of Puerto Vallarta's 2011 Fiestas Patrias Queen, City Hall Plaza

Tuesday, September 13
8:00 am: Anniversary of the Battle of Chapultepec ceremony at the entrance of the Deportiva Agustín Flores Contreras Sports Stadium

8:30 am: Civic ceremony to honor the Boy Heroes of Chapultepec. Roll call, wreath and honor guard in the main square of Pitillal.

Wednesday, September 14 - Día Nacional de la Charrería
11:00 am: Traditional Charro Parade with La Unión de Asociaciones de Charros de Puerto Vallarta beginning at Insurgentes and Calle Libertad (in front of the old Cine Bahía) and ending on Calle Juárez in front of the Plaza Principal in downtown Puerto Vallarta

Thursday, September 15 - Aniversario Del Grito De Independencia
8:00 am: Flag Raising Ceremony in la Plaza Principal de Puerto Vallarta

12:00 noon: 157th Anniversary of Mexican National Anthem - Banderas Bay area school children, civil authorities, naval and military personnel, tourists, city employees and the general public will sing Mexico's national anthem in celebration of the first time it was sung.

11:00 pm: Ceremonia del Grito de Independencia - Traditional El Grito Ceremony - Puerto Vallarta Mayor Salvador Gonzalez Resendiz will deliver "El Grito," reenacting the historic cry for independence from the City Hall balcony.

11:20 pm: The singing of Mexico's national anthem.

11:30 pm: Castillos and Fireworks, downtown Puerto Vallarta

11:35 pm: Baile Popular - Public Street Dance in Puerto Vallarta's Main Square

Friday, September 16 - 201st Anniversary of Mexico's War of Independence
September 16th is a National Holiday, similar to July Fourth in the United States. Most people have the day off from work so they can enjoy fiestas and the parade that winds through downtown. Banks, government offices and about half of the businesses in Puerto Vallarta will close in observance of the holiday, but plenty of restaurants will be open so you can wrap up the festivities with an authentic Mexican dinner.

And, as if that were not enough, Puerto Vallarta hotels, bars and discos are offering a variety of activities to celebrate Mexico's 201 years of independence from Spain - all month long.

In bars, like Roxy's, La Bodeguita del Medio, Pura Vida, J&B and Bebotero, you can find all types of live music - from jazz and salsa to reggae and rock. In Vallarta hotels, like the Sheraton Buganvilias, you can enjoy an authentic Mexican Fiesta full of folk dances, games, traditional foods - even fireworks.

In many Puerto Vallarta restaurants, like The River Café, Kaiser Maximilian, El Arrayán, and Agave Grill, you can delight in authentic Mexican food to celebrate this important time in Mexico's history.

After dinner, if you want to celebrate in one of the most famous clubs in Vallarta, the choices are diverse. The list is headed by Mandala, De Santos, Collage, Hyde, Señor Frog's and Club Mañana.

September's Fiestas Patrias celebrations stand out among the social activities celebrated in Mexico each year - so don't miss your chance to savor the flavors of Mexico in Puerto Vallarta during El Mes de la Patria.