UPDATE: According to the Puerto Vallarta municipal government's website, the venue for the 'Reina Fiestas Patrias 2017' Contest has been changed. It is now set to be held on Thursday, September 14 at 8:00 pm at the Sheraton Buganvilias Hotel. The event is free and open to the public.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Mexico's Independence Day celebrations are coming up. Don't miss the opportunity to escape the routine and enjoy the patriotic festivities which, in Puerto Vallarta, run from Wednesday, September 13 through Sunday, September 17.

Mexican Independence Day, September 16, commemorates the day in 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo, in an impassioned speech in the little town of Dolores, urged Mexicans to rise up against the Spanish government. They did, sparking what became a 10-year war for independence.

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

But out of all the Mexican destinations you could visit on Independence Day, Puerto Vallarta has a special charm that makes it stand out from the rest.

With its quaint cobble-stoned streets, red-tiled roofs and 'Old Mexico' disposition, Puerto Vallarta is widely known as "The Most Mexican Beach Destination" - especially during the month of September, when Mexico's history and culture come alive!

On every street corner there are vendors selling flags, balloons, sombreros and rehiletes - all in the national colors of red, white and green - and the city hosts a five-day celebration that includes a series of patriotic festivities, traditional parades, fireworks and, of course, El Grito (the cry of independence) given by the mayor at 11:00 pm on September 15.

Puerto Vallarta 2017 Fiestas Patrias Schedule of Events

Wednesday, September 13

This year's celebrations kick off on at 9:00 am 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.

Meanwhile, a Rally Turístico starts at 9:00 am on the Malecón; and lots of fun children's games, a giant lottery and a bearings tournament offer a day of family fun at Parque Hidalgo.

At 6:00 pm a "Waiter's Race" starts at the Hotel Rosita and goes down the Malecón, followed by the "Encased Race" at 7:00 pm.

Downtown Puerto Vallarta comes alive that evening with a Kermés Revolucionaria featuring Antojitos Mexicanos, (Mexican snacks) in the Main Plaza from 6:00-11:00 pm; a celebration of the Municipal Band{s 35th anniversary at Los Arcos del Malecón from 7:00-8:30; and the Baile de Reboso in the central patio of the Presidencia Municipal from 8:00-11:00 pm.

Thursday, September 14

At 11:00 am, in celebration of El Día Nacional del Charro (National Charro Day), more than 100 members of La Unión de Asociaciones de Charros de Puerto Vallarta will parade through town with great clamor. The parade starts at Plaza Lazaro Cardenas and ends at Calle Morelos and the Malecón.

At 11:15 am, the "Charros" photographic exhibition will be inaugurated in the central patio of the Presidencia Municipal.

From 12:30 to 2:30 pm, the "Caminata Charra" (Charro Walk) will take place on the Malecón, and at 1:30 pm the traditional "Fiesta Charra" will be held in la Zona de Palmares Malecón.

From 6:00-11:00, a Kermés Revolucionaria featuring Antojitos Mexicanos, (Mexican snacks) will return to the Main Plaza, where the Reina de las Fiestas 2017 pageant will be held from 8:00 to 11:00.

Friday, September 15

Friday, September 15, or the eve of Independence Day, is when the celebration really begins, as Vallarta commemorates the first and most significant episode of Mexico's history: Independence from Spain. The activities begin early, with a Civic Ceremony and Flag Raising to the National Anthem at the Plaza de Armas at 8:00 am.

At 7:30 pm, El Grupo Folclórico Municipal del Adulto Mayor will perform in the Plaza de Armas, followed by the Décadas duet at 8:00; the Ballet Municipal Xiutla at 9:00; and Mariachi Nuevo Continental at 10:00.

Just before 11:00 pm, everyone gathers together in front of La Presidencia, (the municipal government building) in La Plaza Principal to witness a dramatization of the bell tolling and the call to arms in which the mayor impersonates priest Miguel Hidalgo, the "Father of Independence."

As the clock begins to strike eleven, silence falls over the citizens as Mayor Arturo Dávalos Peña steps forward to ring the symbolic liberty bell and give El Grito de Dolores, met by the crowds' response of "Viva Mexico!" and "Viva la independencia!" in an emotion-packed 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 a performance by Grupo Versátil Dinámico at 11:30 pm.

Saturday, September 16

September 16th is the National Holiday, similar to July Fourth in the United States. The day starts at 9:00 am with a civic ceremony at Hidalgo Park that commemorates the anniversary of the day Mexico's War of Independence began in 1810. The ceremony is followed by the traditional military parade that starts at 10:00 am on Calle Morelos and winds through the streets of downtown Puerto Vallarta.

In the evening, the festivities move to Los Arcos de Malecón, where Gypsy Rumba will perform at 8:00 pm, followed by Valentina González in Concert at 9:00 pm.

Sunday, September 17

For those who are up to it after four days of celebrations, a Carrera Atlética de Independencia (Independence Day Athletic Run) will be held at 8:00 am on Sunday. The race along Av. Francisco Medino Ascencio begins and ends in front of the Municipal Sports Stadium.

At 9:00 am, a beach soccer tournament will be held on the banks at the mouth of the Pitillal River (behind the island).

From 5:00 to 11:00 pm, a Feria del Taco will be held at Lazaro Cardenas Park, featuring local restaurants that specialize in preparing all kinds of tacos, musical groups and more.

Note: All events on the above schedule are subject to change.

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 2017.