Yes! This is Carnaval in San Pedro, Belize

Men dressing up in drag and dancing through the streets of downtown San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize – there is nothing odd with that, once it is Carnival time, of course. The official Carnival celebrations kicked off on Friday, February, 13, 2015.

The comparsas (street dancing groups) are always a highlight of Carnaval in San Pedro and three of them made their way through downtown San Pedro once again with vibrant costumes and cheerful song & dance. The men’s group who dress in drag came out in full force and are always there to give spectators a great laugh.

Of course Carnaval is not complete with revelers hitting the streets with paint and raw eggs in hand to joyfully paint each other; it’s the signature practice that makes the yearly event so colorful and fun. The painting and street dancing continue for two more day. Here are some images of the FUN of San Pedro Carnaval Day One:

Hippie-themed Compara (Street Dancers) of the San Pedro AIDS Commission

Mrs. Reina del Carnaval (Mrs. Carnaval) Patricia Lopez, Dances with Doña Flora’s Group

Carnaval Block Party

The San Pedro Town Council prepared an evening of entertainment during a block party at Central Park which included dance presentations by Yaka’s Elite Dancers, local singers Guillermo & Neslen Rivero, Miss San Pedro Michelle Nuñez, cultural dances by Ballet Folklorico “Bakhalal” from the Bacalar, Q. Roo House of Culture and Rompe Raja band.

There was also a photo exhibit prepared by the San Pedro House of Culture which depicted images of Carnaval celebrations when San Pedro was just a quiet fishing village. Special guest of the evening was Jose Alfredo Contreras Mendez, Municipal President of Bacalar, Mexico, who along with San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero signed a sister city relationship between both communities which solidified friendships with our Mexican counterparts.