Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - Las Fiestas Patrias (Mexican Independence celebrations) have begun in Pitillal, a suburban area of Puerto Vallarta that has for the most part remained untouched by tourism and still feels like the "real" Mexico.

Through September 17th this quintessential Mexican community is full of color, music and tradition as the people of Pitillal celebrate Mexico's Independence through a series of civic, cultural and artistic activities.

The celebrations kicked off on Sunday, August 30 with a public performances by the students at the "Alas" singing school and the presentation of the beautiful young women who are competing to be Pitillal's Queen of the 2015 Fiestas Patrias.

From September 1-3, the public enjoyed a variety of free song and dance presentations in the town plaza.

On Friday, September 4th at 8 pm, those who go to Pitillal's main plaza will enjoy the musical notes of singer Javier Olvera and, later, Glamis Yadira.

Join the people of "Ejido Coapinole" on September 5th as they celebrate its seventy-seventh anniversary with various festivities that begin with a Mass of Thanksgiving at 9:00 am, followed by a parade in the agricultural hall at 11:00 am and an Arreo de Bandera (flag ceremony) at 6:00 pm.

At 9:00 pm on September 6th, the 2015 Queen of the Fiestas Patrias competition will be held in the town plaza, where the candidates will take the catwalk for the swimsuit competition and talent contest. This should be completed by 11:00 pm, when the "Profesía Zero" band is scheduled to perform.

From September 7th-10th a list of surprise performers are in store for you each night in the town plaza, while on the 11th singer Martin "El Gavilán" and Tushi Rock Band will entertain, and on the 12th singer Nacho Meza "El Serrano" and Ramiro Hernández "La voz ranchera de Jalisco" will delight attendees. All performances begin at 9:00 pm.

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. That same day at 9:00 pm, will be the grand finale and crowning of the Pitillal Fiestas Patrias 2015 Queen and "Ugly King."

On Monday, September 14th, the streets of the delegation will stage the Charro parade, which will start at 1:00 pm, (please note that Independencia and Emiliano Zapata streets will be closed to traffic at 8:00 am), and at 9:00 pm the Quetzal Folkloric Ballet and the Kaobah musical group will be presented.

The El Grito (Cry of Independence) celebrations begin on September 15th at 9:00 pm, with performances by local artists. At 11:30 pm, the entertainment will give way to the March of Torches, which will begin at the corner of Independencia and Avenida and will end on the first block of the delegation. The Cry of Independence (El Grito) will take place at 11:00 pm, followed at 11:30 by a fireworks display and Banda Vanidosos Musical to liven up the evening.

On Wednesday, September 16, the Independence Day Parade will begin at 9:30 am. At 5:00 pm, young and old can participate in traditional games like sack races and greased pole contests to bring the Independence Day activities to an end.

A Gran Baile Popular (dance party) will be held in the town square on September 17 at 9 pm with music provided by La Perrona de los 4 and Los Traviesos.

Please Note: On September 15 and 16th at 6:00 pm, módulos de revisión (security stands) will be installed to prevent people from entering the first block of the delegation with bottles or objects that represent risks, and traffic police will be at the entrance to Pitillal from Emiliano Zapata Street where they will be diverting the flow traffic to la calle 5 de septiembre and coming out on Hidalgo. Other roads that will be closed to traffic are Independencia and Juarez.

But the fun doesn't stop there!

A few days after the Fiestas Patrias conclude, the delegation's Fiestas Patronales celebrations begin in honor of San Miguel Archangel. Pitillal's month-long festivities continue from September 21-29th, with performances at 8:00 pm nightly featuring singers, music by popular bands, Folkloric dance performances and more surprises for locals and visitors who wish to spend their evenings enjoying real Mexican celebrations.