Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - 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.

But 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, as is tradition, the city celebrates the occasion with plenty of festivities, entertainment and activities to enjoy from September 13th through the 16th.

The celebrations start at 9 am on Saturday, September 13th with a civic ceremony to honor Los Niños Héroes (the Boy Heroes of Chapultepec) - complete with a roll call, wreath and honor guard, in the main square of El Pitillal.

On Sunday the 14th, El Día Nacional del Charro (National Charro Day) is celebrated. At 11:00 am, more than 100 members of La Unión de Asociaciones de Charros de Puerto Vallarta (the Union of Puerto Vallarta Charros Associations) and delegations from 7 countries (Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico) will parade through town with great clamor. The parade starts at Plaza Lazaro Cardenas and ends at the McDonald's on the Malecón.

But Monday, September 15th, or the eve of Independence Day, is when the celebrations really begin. The activities begin early, with a Civic Ceremony and Flag Raising to the National Anthem at the Agustín Flores Contreras Sports Stadium at 9:00 am.

At 8:00 pm, a Mariachi band and the Folkloric Group Xiutla will perform at Los Arcos Amphitheater on the Malecón in downtown Puerto Vallarta.

Just before 11:00 pm, everyone gathers together downtown in front of La Presidencia, (the municipal government building) in La Plaza Principal.

As the clock begins to strike eleven, silence falls over the crowd as Mayor Ramón Guerrero Martinez steps out onto the balcony to ring the symbolic liberty bell and give El Grito de Dolores, which is met by the people's response of "Viva Mexico!" and "Viva la Independencia!" in an emotion-packed traditional annual ritual.

The ceremony reaches the high point when the crowd joins in proudly shouting out the names of the heroes of Mexico's Independence. When the grito ceremony ends, the sky lights up with multi-colored fireworks, followed by traditional Mexican dancers and musical groups, including Mariachis, at Los Arcos Amphitheater on the Malecón.

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 attend the Civic Ceremony at Parque Miguel Hidalgo at 8:00 am, and enjoy the traditional parade that starts at 9:00 am at Plaza Lazaro Cardenas and winds through downtown to the McDonald's on the Malecón.

But the fun doesn't stop there! To liven up the patriotic celebrations, many restaurants feature special El Mes de la Patria menus to keep the party going - making this long weekend a great time to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!