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 8 am on Sunday, September 13th with a civic ceremony to honor Los Niños Héroes (the Boy Heroes who defended Chapultepec Castle from invading U.S. forces in the 13 September 1847 Battle of Chapultepec, during the Mexican–American War) complete with a roll call, wreath and honor guard, in the main square of El Pitillal.

From 6-11 pm on Sunday evening, Puerto Vallarta's First Taco Fair, a gastronomic exhibition that celebrates Mexico's flavors, colors, and cultural traditions will be held in Lázaro Cárdenas Park. A variety of local restaurants will be serving up traditional Mexican foods and the Ballet Folklorico Xiutla will perform.

As it is a Sunday, the Municipal Band's weekly "Danzon" will be held in the Plaza de Armas (PV's main plaza) at 7 pm, and the party continues in downtown Puerto Vallarta from 7:30-10 pm with performances by Genero Ranchero, Sarahi Guerrero, and Karla Barragán's "Grupo Alas" singing school.

On Monday 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) will parade through town with great clamor. The parade starts at El Torito Restaurant on Ignacio L. Vallarta in Colonia Emiliano Zapata and ends at the Ley's grocery store on the Malecón in El Centro.

Los Arcos de Malecón is the place to be at 7:00 pm, as the Charros will present a Floreo de Salón (lasso exhibition) and other traditional entertainment like a dancing horse show and a Mariachi performance by "Nuevo Continental."

But Tuesday, 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 6:00 pm, the Municipal Band and regional singers will have you dancing in the Plaza de Armas, which will be followed by a dance presentation by Ballet Folklórico "Vallarta Azteca" with live Mariachi music.

As the clock begins to strike eleven, silence falls over the crowd as Interim Mayor Javier Pelayo Mendez steps out onto the balcony of La Presidencia (the municipal government building) 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 traditional Ceremonia del Grito de Independencia reaches the high point when the crowd joins in proudly shouting out the names of the heroes of Mexico's Independence. When the El 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. The day's celebrations will end at 11:45 pm with a one-hour concert by Banda Sinoloense "Estrella de Vallarta" in the Plaza de Armas.

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 Lazaro Cardenas Park and winds through downtown to the McDonald's on the Malecón.

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.