16th of Sept. - Mexican Independence Day in San Miguel

We had heard the celebration of Mexican Independence Day - 16th of Sept. - was a 'big deal' in San Miguel. Truth be told, it wasn't. Quite dissappointed. We've seen more celebrating on 4th of July in USA. Though of course a national holiday, surprisingly many businesses were still open as usual; and, we just didn't see the kind of huge crowds we had expected. The only 'parade', was a score of marchers and and equal number of costumed horse riders, that kept riding around in a 4 or 5 block circle several times. And, then some late night fireworks that only lasted for 10 mins. or so. (Of course, the locals as usual constantly light off their own private skyrockets and aerial bombs, day and night during the week or so before and after). P.S. It's too bad that the San Miguel city council voted a few years ago to end another local tradition held on a different date -the local "Running of the Bulls". We heard had become a major blowout -- with something like 30-40,000 extra visitors flooding the town. Was obviously a great boon for the local businesses, but some of the people thought it had gotten too rowdy and out of control. Someday, we hope to make it to the 'true' Running of the Bulls in Pamplona Spain.