Independence Day 2009 Boquete Panama
Posted by Lee on November 30, 2009
The Independence Day celebration in 2008 was canceled by flooding in Boquete Panama. This year Boquete went wild. The First events started with multiple discos at midnight on Friday as the clock turned to 28 November. The party continued until early morning and then came the parade. I was there for the beginning of the parade before many people showed up to throng the street, clog the roads and continue the weekend party.
As the day continued the crowds grew and soon streets clogged with celebration. As the sun declined over Baru and into Costa Rica the crowds continued to grow. Thousands of parade attendees and participants descended on bars, restaurants and temporary discos at the fair grounds. Boquete was a swollen mass of revelers.
Sunday calmed a bit as many people left to return home and the horses took the streets for a horse parade. At least one horse found a way into a local establishment to enjoy a drink.
It somehow seemed an appropriate way to celebrate the mayhem.
Independence Day is an important celebration for all of Panama. For Boquete is it a huge influx of domestic tourism, hotels and restaurants all benefit. It was sad to hear the complaining of a small number of ex-pats about the noise. This a part of the local culture, if you don’t like it, go to Panama City or David for a few days or just stay home. Panama has it’s traditions enjoy them if you can, ignore them if you can’t enjoy them but don’t be an unwelcome guest by complaining.
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Great! Thank you.
Traditions need to be upheld! Wish I could have been there. During the Feria last January we could hear the bands all the way up in Alto Boquete. Panamanians do know how to party. Ya gotta love it…